Israeli police block Latin Patriarch from Palm Sunday mass in Jerusalem

"Police had acted out of 'special' safety concerns and that a plan was being drawn up to allow church leaders to worship at the site in the coming days."

— Benjamin Netanyahu , Politician

"It was an 'unfortunate overreach' that was 'difficult to understand or justify'."

— Mike Huckabee , Politician

"We had not asked for anything public, just a brief and small private ceremony."

— Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa , Other

"The move was 'an offence not only against believers but against every community that recognises religious freedom.'"

— Giorgia Meloni , Politician

"Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions."

— Emmanuel Macron , Politician

"I have instructed the relevant authorities that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, be granted full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem."

— Benjamin Netanyahu , Politician

"[T]o deny Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and three other priests from entering the Church to offer a blessing on Palm Sunday is an unfortunate overreach already having major repercussions around the world."

— Mike Huckabee , Politician

"It is heartbreaking to see the doors to the Holy Sepulchre and other holy places in Jerusalem locked at any time, but particularly during Holy Week."

— Dr Caroline Hull , Activist

"War will not erase the resurrection. Grief will not extinguish hope."

— Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa , Other

"The police had no malicious intent whatsoever, only concern for his safety and that of his party."

— Benjamin Netanyahu , Politician

"The incident was an offence not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom."

— Giorgia Meloni , Politician

""adds to a worrying series of violations of the status of holy places in Jerusalem"."

— Emmanuel Macron , Politician