Notre Dame will always remain a symbol of French national unity , says Vatican

Pope Francis is praying for all those affected by the fire that devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which will always remain a symbol of French national unity, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

"The pope is praying for all those who are struggling, in particular, the firefighters, to confront this dramatic situation," Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti said.

"Notre Dame will always remain - and we have seen this in these hours - a place where believers and non-believers can come together in the most dramatic moments of French history."