The world watched in horror as Paris' historic Notre Dame Cathedral erupted in flames Monday. It was the second fire to hit a historic French Catholic church in under a month.

Editor's note: The initial version of this article contained information about vandalism in French churches. The author believed it necessary to include it to point out the troubles that have recently plagued the Catholic churches of France. The text stressed that vandalism had nothing to do with the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Upon review, we believe that although the article was factually correct, some readers may have found it insensitive. That was not what RT was aiming for. Like the rest of the world, we grieve for the partial loss of the architectural masterpiece that is Notre Dame.

While Notre Dame is undoubtedly the most well-known landmark to be affected, Paris' second largest church, Saint-Sulpice, briefly burst into flames on March 17. The fire damaged the church's doors and stained glass windows on the building's exterior, but firefighters managed to bring it under control before anybody was hurt.