Israel has faced mounting criticism from the Christian world in recent hours after police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, the Rev. Francesco Patton, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.
In a joint statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said both clerics were stopped on their way to the site and forced to turn back. “As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher,” the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry has received inquiries in recent hours from several foreign embassies about the incident, including the U.S. Embassy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned the move, calling it “an offense against the faithful.” Shortly afterward, Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador in Rome for talks over the incident.
The patriarchate and the custody said the disruption “constitutes a grave precedent and demonstrates a lack of consideration for the feelings of billions of people around the world who, during this week, turn their eyes to Jerusalem.” Agence France-Presse reported that police had not immediately responded to a request for comment.
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the Custos of the Holy Land, the Rev. Francesco Patton
(Photo: Custody of the Holy Land)
International reports noted that since the start of a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28, authorities in Israel have banned large gatherings, including in synagogues, churches and mosques, and have limited public gatherings to about 50 people.
Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week, marks Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by cheering crowds days before his crucifixion and resurrection on Easter morning, according to the Gospels.
Against the backdrop of tensions in the Middle East, the Latin Patriarchate also announced the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession, which عادة begins on the Mount of Olives and proceeds into Jerusalem. Thousands of worshippers typically take part each year.
The patriarchate said that “Church leaders have acted responsibly and, since the beginning of the war, have complied with all imposed restrictions. Preventing the entry of the cardinal and the custos, who bear the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the holy sites, is a clearly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”
Among those condemning Israel’s actions was Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who expressed solidarity with the patriarch and the custos. “It is unacceptable that they were prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. For the first time, Israeli police have denied Catholic Church leaders the possibility of celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at one of the holiest sites for millions of believers worldwide. I have immediately instructed our ambassador to Israel to convey the government’s protest to Israeli authorities and to reaffirm Italy’s position in defense, at all times and under all circumstances, of freedom of religion,” he said.
Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, said: “This is painful for all Christians. Our solidarity is with the patriarch and the custos.”
Hours after the controversy erupted, police issued a response, saying the decision was made to protect public safety. “Since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, and in coordination with Home Front Command guidelines, all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City have been closed to worshippers, especially in locations without standard protected spaces, in order to safeguard public safety,” the statement said.
“The patriarch’s request was reviewed yesterday and it was clarified that it would not be approved for the reasons stated above. The Old City and its holy sites constitute a complex area that does not allow access for large rescue and evacuation vehicles, significantly hindering response capabilities and endangering lives in the event of a mass-casualty incident. Police emphasize that freedom of worship will continue to be upheld, subject to necessary restrictions. Should Home Front Command guidelines change, police will conduct a renewed assessment, with the primary goal of protecting human life.”
According to estimates published by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 2023, Christians made up more than 18% of the population of the Holy Land — a region that includes Jordan, in addition to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories — when the State of Israel was established in 1948. Today, they account for less than 2%, most of them Orthodox Christians.