Parisians urged to pray ‘for hope not hate’ at Notre Dame service

The people of Paris have been urged to "pray for hope, not hate" at a ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral to mourn the 132 people killed and hundreds injured in Friday's terror attacks.

During an 80-minute service inside the French landmark, Cardinal Andre XXIII called on the country not to "provoke aggression" but to remember the dead in the wake of the "barbaric" attack on the country.

He said: “We pray for hope, not hate.

“The main purpose of us meeting is to pray for the dead, their relatives, the wounded, our country.”

Cathedral bells

The service began after the famous cathedral bells rang out over the Seine and across the centre of Paris, marking the memory of the dead.

Crowds had gathered behind heavily controlled barriers around Place Jean Paul II square throughout the afternoon, eager to be among those permitted onto the pews inside.

And while a few hundred were allowed to scurry into the cathedral shortly before dignitaries arrived, the volume of those waiting far outweighed the space available.

Many were content to stand outside and listen to the service through amplifiers.

A decision to temporarily close the two large wooden doors at Notre Dame’s entrance was met with fury from the crowds outside, who booed loudly and shouted that the doors should be left open “for the public outside, not the comfort of those inside”.

The doors were soon pulled open again, allowing those towards the front of the barriers to see inside again.

Police scramble

Reports of a shooting near the Bataclan concert venue - the scene of Friday’s bloodiest episode - rippled through the crowd as the service started, sending police scrambling.

The reports proved to be a false alarm.

Oblivious to the drama outside, inside the cathedral a handful of people took pictures and videos on their camera phones during the service, which featured hymns, prayers, an organist and burning incense.

Members of the congregation were asked to shake hands with those around them before Cardinal Andre closed the service, shortly after 7.50pm local time (6.50pm Irish time).

Press Association