Jost's observation was very astute. A soul is what gives a person life, animating our humanity. Inanimate objects, such as buildings, are rarely described as having souls—unless it’s the soul of someone inhabiting or sanctifying them. 

Last Sunday, while laid up on the couch nursing a cold, I eagerly watched 60 Minutes, anticipating their story on Notre Dame’s renovation and upcoming reopening. Yet, despite the teasers and fanfare, the piece left me sorely disappointed.

As a former television news editorial manager, from a production standpoint, the story had everything going for it. Nortre Dame is a marvel of architecture, history, and cultural significance, painstakingly restored inch-by-inch. Every wall, every ceiling, artwork, and stained-glass window has been meticulously cleaned, repaired, repainted, and brought back to life. The segment featured dramatic footage of the 2019 fire, which captivated the world as the wood spire and roof collapsed in flames. It offered exclusive behind-the-scenes access to artisans, craftsmen, and the architect and lead coordinator of the renovations, as well as an interview with French President Emmanuel Macron. 

Yet somehow, 60 Minutes missed the mark.

Halfway through the 13-minute feature, I noticed an unsettling omission. This was a story about the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris—Our Lady of Paris—a church built in 1163 under the direction of Bishop Maurice de Sully, and the guardianship of the Catholic Church. Notre Dame is one of the most iconic places of worship in France and the world. 

And yet, there was no mention of God. Not a word about it being an active Catholic church, its place in Christendom, or its spiritual significance to the millions of faithful across the globe. The piece seemed determined to strip Notre Dame of its sacred identity. 

It was as if that part of the “soul” didn’t exist. No Church leaders were interviewed. No acknowledgement was given to the priests and religious brothers who risked their lives to save sacred relics during the fire. No one thought of interviewing members of the neighboring Catholic community that attend Mass in the chapels of the church daily, or the thousands of workers about the spiritual resonance of restoring such a holy site. It was as if they were trying to hide the sun with a single finger.

Everything about Notre Dame radiates the transcendent. Even during renovations, it remained an active house of worship. Its art, relics, and very architecture are steeped in the eternal.

When my wife and I visited Notre Dame during our honeymoon in Paris in May 1998, we were not closely practicing our faith. Yet even in that distance, the “soul” Jost spoke of was palpable. The majestic stained-glass windows, with their kaleidoscope of colors, were mesmerizing. The way the sunlight filtered through those panes was an experience beyond words. To this day, I still think about that short but memorable experience. 

Bishop Robert Barron, who spent countless hours at Notre Dame during his doctoral studies in Paris, describes being similarly captivated, "I remember it vividly. It was June the 12, 1989. I arrived for my doctoral studies, dropped off my things at the house where I would live for the next 3 years, and I just wondered. I was tired and jetlagged. I didn’t know where I was going but ended up at Notre Dame. I entered and then turned and looked at the north rose window... and there I stood mesmerized for a long time… There was something about that window that sang to me. I went back and stood at the same spot every single day. Until flying back home for Christmas.”  

But 60 Minutes ignored this spiritual dimension entirely, focusing instead on President Macron’s role in the renovation, the artists, and craftsmen who were being drawn and inspired by the work, and the fundraising it took to bring it to reality.   

Is it a wonder that this renovation would be completed? This was not Notre Dame’s first major renovation. During the French Revolution in 1790, the cathedral was desecrated, with much of its religious symbols damaged and destroyed. It was restored in 1864. It has withstood the rise and fall of kingdoms, revolution, two world wars, and the devastating fire.

Is it a coincidence that young people are being attracted to the beauty and satisfaction of the work in what is being referred to as the “Notre Dame effect”? In centuries past, thousands of what are known as “compagnons” were also drawn by the work, guided by their faith. Many saw their work as their gift to God, taking great pride in their work and offering it with zeal. It was not just about preserving the patrimony of their homeland, but for the greater glory.  

“I visited the site a few times. And each time, what struck me the most was the commitment, and the joy, and the responsibility of the compagnons that I met,” said Anne Dias Griffin, an investment banker who spearheaded the financial support in the U.S.  

Whitaker asks, “Why do you think this symbol of Paris and of France inspires such strong feelings not just here, but in the U.S. and around the world?”

Dias replies, “Notre Dame symbolizes something universal. And that something to be cherished.”

Yes, Notre Dame is symbol of French culture and history. But the truth of its universality lies in its role as a testament to Christ's Church. 

By sanitizing the cathedral's Catholic identity and ignoring its religious essence, 60 Minutes missed the real story. The “soul” of Notre Dame is the breath and life of the transcendent God that emanates from the tabernacle on the altar, making the renovation, the attraction of workers, and the fundraising all possible.

As Jost concluded, “The cathedral is 860 years old. And we will restore it for 860 years.”

Whitaker asked, “That it will last another?”

“Another 860 years, and perhaps more,” Jost replied.

Watch story here.

Read transcript of the story here.