Israeli police have prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, according to a statement by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Patriarchate said the cardinal, alongside Fr. Francesco Ielpo, was stopped by Israeli authorities while heading privately to the church without any form of procession or ceremony. Both leaders were forced to turn back, marking what the Church described as an unprecedented moment.
“As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the statement noted, calling the move a “grave precedent” that disregards the sentiments of Christians worldwide.
Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week, commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem before his crucifixion and resurrection. Traditionally, it draws thousands of worshippers to the city, especially along the route from the Mount of Olives to the Old City.
However, since the escalation of conflict following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Israeli authorities have imposed strict security measures, including banning large gatherings and limiting attendance at religious sites to around 50 people. Police also confirmed that holy sites in Jerusalem have remained closed since the start of the war, citing safety concerns and logistical challenges in emergency response within the Old City.
The Patriarchate criticized the restrictions as “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate,” arguing that church leaders had consistently complied with regulations since the conflict began.
International reactions have followed swiftly. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as an offense to religious freedom, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned Israel’s ambassador for clarification.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with Middle Eastern Christians, noting their struggle to observe sacred traditions amid ongoing violence.
Across Jerusalem’s Old City, the usual Palm Sunday atmosphere was replaced by silence, with shuttered shops and subdued worshippers marking a deeply altered celebration.
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