Israeli police block Catholic cardinal from Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxQdWxQQk1vbHZqd2xiR00yR0wzUGlHZHFsY0UyU3N6ZWpMNGZSNS1Mbklyam53dUdwY3NqY1BsaEgycXY4UjVMUk9WWC1laXJJTnFERHJPa0h2OC15ZGI5NjU1c0hYT2Z6NFN0MG5xRzA3YVpfcF9SX2Zla0t2QS1fSnM3M2pjUWFoQjhZcktwU05pc1l2dm9ocmIwYkt2ZXpBWUpWUkF3WXZHQnJlbnpaY0tFa1pFTlRackVjOEM3Q3BhZzFZeXEtRFBR?oc=5" target="_blank">Israeli police block Catholic cardinal from Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo, the custos of the Holy Land, were prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher by Israeli police on Palm Sunday. The Latin Patriarchate described the action as a 'manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,' marking the first time in centuries that Catholic leaders were barred from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the church.

On March 29, 2026, the Jerusalem diocese reported that Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizz ... the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo, the custos of the Holy Land, from attending the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sep ... . The Latin Patriarchate described the act as unprecedented, unreasonable, and disproportionate, especially significant during Holy Week. Israel justified the decision on security grounds amid potential Iranian attacks, though international leaders condemned it as a violation of religious freedom.

Israeli police barred Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, citing security concerns amid the Iran war. This unprecedented action drew international criticism, with the U.S., France, and Italy condemning the move as a violation of religious freedom. Israel later announced plans to allow limited access to the church in the coming days.

On March 29, 2026, Israeli authorities prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the highest Catholic authority in the Holy Land, and other religious leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The decision, made amid the Israel-U.S.-led war in Iran, sparked international condemnation from leaders in Spain, France, Italy, and the U.S., who viewed it as a violation of religious freedom. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later ordered full access for Pizzaballa to the church.