THE Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, and the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, Fr Francesco Ielpo, were barred by Israeli police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, for the first time in centuries. On Monday, however, they came to an agreement with the Israeli authorities after the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly intervened to reverse the decision.
Public worship remains banned at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The ban applies to other churches and key sites in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and the al-Aqsa mosque. The traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives into the Old City was cancelled, because of safety fears in the light of the conflict in the Middle East (News, 27 March). Fragments of a ballistic missile from Iran reportedly hit the roof of the Holy Sepulchre last month.
Cardinal Pizzaballa and Fr Ielpo intended to enter privately and celebrate mass. “The two were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back,” a joint statement from the Church leaders’ offices said.
The statement described the move as “a grave precedent”, and one that disregarded “the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem”.
A press release said: “Since the outset of the war, the heads of churches have complied with all imposed restrictions: public gatherings were cancelled, attendance was prohibited, and arrangements were made to broadcast the celebrations to hundreds of millions of faithful worldwide, who turn their eyes to Jerusalem and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”
In Britain, the RC Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Richard Moth, said: “I share the pain of the people of the Holy Land who meet in peace to celebrate their faith.” Archbishop Moth, a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, also called for peace.
“Assuring the faithful of the Holy Land of our prayerful support as we enter Holy Week, we pray ever more intently for peace across the world and particularly at this time for our brothers and sisters in the very place where the Lord’s Passion took place,” he said. “Our prayer at this time is to follow the Lord’s message to reject violence and to promote reconciliation and peace.”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, added: “The action by Israeli authorities to block Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Custos Fr Ielpo from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was ill-thought-out, disproportionate, and unacceptable. As we enter Holy Week, the eyes of the world turn to Jerusalem. Moments like this cause deep distress and scandal. Our focus should be on Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace.”
On Monday, however, the Latin Patriarchate posted a fresh statement on social media, saying that the issues “have been addressed and resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities”. The new statement expressed “sincere gratitude” to the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Monday that Mr Netanyahu had personally intervened and reversed the police decision. “Due to safety concerns, Cardinal Pizzaballa was asked to refrain from holding mass,” Mr Netanyahu said.
After learning of the incident, however, Mr Netanyahu ordered that the Patriarch be allowed to conduct services “as he wishes”.
The resolution came as a new annual study by the Israeli group the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue, Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem, showed a “continued and expanding pattern of intimidation and aggression” against Christian clergy and church property in 2025.
The 155 incidents last year “reflect a persistent and worrying pattern in which both overt violence and everyday humiliations accumulate into a broader atmosphere of exclusion”, the report says.
