Israeli police barred Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Monsignor Francesco Ielpo, the Custos of the Holy Land, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced. The incident, occurring while the two church leaders were en route to celebrate Mass, has drawn condemnation from international leaders and raised concerns about religious freedom in Jerusalem.
According to the Patriarchate’s statement, the two were “stopped along the route” and “forced to turn back.” The statement characterized the action as a “grave precedent” and a “lack of respect for the sensitivity of billions of people” who focus on Jerusalem during Holy Week. It further asserted that preventing the entry of the Cardinal and Custos, who hold the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and its holy sites, was “manifestly unreasonable and disproportionate.”
The restrictions come amid a blanket ban on large public gatherings imposed by Israeli authorities since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28. These measures, affecting synagogues, churches, and mosques, currently limit public assemblies to around 50 people. The Patriarchate had already cancelled its traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, anticipating these limitations. However, the denial of access to Cardinal Pizzaballa and Monsignor Ielpo appears to extend beyond the scope of the general assembly restrictions.
Israeli police, responding to the incident, stated that Cardinal Pizzaballa’s request to enter the church was denied due to security concerns, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. “Since the start of the war, the places of worship in the Old City have been closed to worshippers,” a police statement reportedly said. This explanation has been met with skepticism, given the private nature of the intended visit and the high-profile status of the individuals involved.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, acknowledging the incident and stating that it stemmed from “particular concerns for his security.” The office affirmed there was “no malicious intent, only concern for his safety and that of his entourage.” Netanyahu’s office added that security forces were “developing a plan to allow religious leaders to hold services at the holy site in the coming days.”
President Isaac Herzog too addressed the situation on X, stating he had spoken with Cardinal Pizzaballa to express “deep sorrow” over the incident. Herzog attributed the decision to security concerns related to potential missile attacks from Iran, reiterating Israel’s commitment to religious freedom and the preservation of the status quo in Jerusalem’s holy sites.
Cardinal Pizzaballa himself, speaking after the denial of access, led a prayer for peace on the Mount of Olives, conducted without a public congregation, mirroring practices adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated, “In the incredibly complicated situation we are living in, right now, we want to gather with Jesus, we want to enter Jerusalem and learn once again how to inhabit this city and remain always a community that wants to build solidarity, friendship, fraternity and communion among all of us and be instruments of peace and reconciliation.”
The incident has prompted strong reactions from international leaders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with Cardinal Pizzaballa and Father Ielpo, calling the barring of access to the Holy Sepulchre an “offense not only to believers, but to every community that recognizes religious freedom.” French President Emmanuel Macron “condemned” the decision, according to reports.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the ban as “unacceptable” and announced he had summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome for a formal protest. “For the first time, Israeli police have denied Church leaders the possibility of celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in one of the most sacred places for millions of faithful around the world,” Tajani stated on X. He further indicated that the ambassador would be called to the Foreign Ministry for clarification.
Pope Francis, addressing the public during his Angelus message shortly after news of the incident broke, expressed closeness to Christians in the Middle East, who are “suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict.” He called for prayers for peace and reconciliation, and noted that many Christians in the region are unable to fully participate in Holy Week rituals.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto echoed the condemnation, stating that the incident “undermines a fundamental principle that should always be guaranteed: that of religious freedom.”
As of late Sunday, Israeli authorities have not issued a further statement beyond the initial explanation citing security concerns. The planned security arrangements for allowing religious leaders to celebrate services at the Holy Sepulchre in the coming days remain unconfirmed.
