…Pope Leo, Italian Prime Minister, Fumed
Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Israeli Police have given reasons for blocking the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.
They based their reasons on the current security restrictions following the war triggered by recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
“The Patriarch’s request was reviewed yesterday, and it was clarified that it could not be approved” because of the restrictions, it said in a statement to AFP.
“The Old City and the holy sites constitute a complex area that does not allow access for large emergency and rescue vehicles, which significantly challenges response capabilities and poses a real risk to human life in the event of a mass casualty incident,” the force said.
Authorities said large gatherings had been prohibited, with limits placed on attendance at religious sites due to safety concerns in the Old City.
This incident has drawn criticism from global leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who described it as an offence to religious freedom.
Pope Pope Leo XIV also expressed concern, highlighting the struggles faced by Christians in the region amid the ongoing conflict.
Recall that the Israeli Police on Sunday blocked the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, sparking outrage from church authorities and international leaders.
In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate said the cardinal, alongside the Custos of the Holy Land, Francesco Ielpo, was stopped while attempting to access the historic church in Jerusalem.
“This morning, the Israeli Police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, together with the Custos of the Holy Land, the Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, the official Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as they made their way to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass,” a statement from the Patriarchate said.
The two clerics were reportedly proceeding privately and not as part of any procession but were denied entry and forced to turn back.
“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 added.
“This incident is a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world, who during this week, look to Jerusalem.”
The Patriarchate described the development as unprecedented, noting that for the first time in centuries, senior church leaders were prevented from conducting Palm Sunday rites at the revered site.
Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, is a significant event in the Christian calendar, traditionally observed with large processions in Jerusalem.
However, this year’s celebrations were subdued, with the usual procession from the Mount of Olives cancelled and streets in the Old City largely deserted.
Church leaders warned that the restrictions risk undermining long-standing religious traditions and called for respect for freedom of worship, even amid heightened security tensions.
