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

[Prairie Gates]

Source: Reuters

JERUSALEM, March 29 (Reuters) - Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from marking Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre "for the ​first time in centuries," the Patriarchate said, with police citing security concerns linked to the Iran war.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and ‌Friar Francesco Ielpo were stopped by police while walking to the church, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-police-block-catholic-cardinal-jerusalems-holy-sepulchre-palm-sunday-2026-03-29/

---

Outrage across Catholic Europe as Israeli police block access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the Patriarch of Jerusalem, preventing Palm Sunday mass.

Meloni called it an offense to believers and all people who value religious liberty. Macron has condemned it as well:

“I offer my full support to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and to the Christians of the Holy Land, who are prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Holy Sepulchre,” says Macron on X.

“I condemn this decision by the Israeli police, which adds to the alarming proliferation of violations of the status quo of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites,” he continues. “The free exercise of worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all religions.”

Disgusting. Palm Sunday is one of the highest holy days on the Catholic calendar. Are the Israeli police profoundly stupid, or is this a planned provocation by Netanyahu and punishment of Pizzaballa and Pope Leo?