Just days ago, the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, one of the great cathedrals of the world, burned. It burned during Holy Week,  the most sacred week of the Christian calendar.

How did the Associated Press cover this? Feast your eyes on this headline.

According to the Associated Press, supposedly the most trusted source of news in the world, it is headline news that this tourist site is also a place of worship.

Reactions were swift.

https://twitter.com/ellencarmichael/status/1119245822724644865

Two at @AP actually wrote this and presumably at least one editor approved it. (Hint: It is a house of worship. That touristy thing is a side issue.) #Fail https://t.co/0hGxczwpA4

— MarkHyman (@MarkHyman) April 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/Epamenzies/status/1119253633072128000

So. Much. Journalisming. pic.twitter.com/QGBuebqmV1

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) April 19, 2019

The headline makes no reference to Christianity, Catholicism, or even the word “cathedral,” but…

"Mecca" is an especially nice touch. https://t.co/UBo1vWjfVR

— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) April 19, 2019

Use of the word mecca, ignorance of history, and worship as an afterthought. The new reporters aren't just stupid, they are self-mutilating to the renaissance. This will only accelerate the fall of Rome once again! https://t.co/qxwR8j6xJF

— looneyhart (@lhartanian) April 19, 2019

We wish it were satire.

https://twitter.com/ChicagoHound/status/1119253025279942666

Top notch work by @TheOnion right here… what the, WHAT?!https://t.co/8ImAo8qUx1

— This Tweet is unavailable (@AlwaysPickdLast) April 19, 2019

Not The Onion or The Babylon Bee 🤦🏾‍♂️

Tourist mecca Notre Dame also revered as place of worship – Tourist mecca Notre Dame also revered as place of worship https://t.co/N52fGY0OiO -via Flynx

— Suleiman Grundy (@ghettoglass) April 19, 2019

While Notre Dame is undoubtedly visited by millions, it is a cathedral first. It is a place to worship Jesus, and has been since 1345. To demean it as merely a tourist site is just insulting.