Israeli police stopped Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on March 29. He planned to lead Palm Sunday Mass at the church. Rev Francesco Ielpo accompanied him. Police forced both to turn back.
This incident marked a rare moment. The church could not host Palm Sunday Mass. Many Christians consider this site the holiest place, where Jesus was crucified.
Israel Later Allows Access
The next day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reversed the decision. He said authorities would allow the cardinal full and immediate access.
He confirmed that he had instructed officials to let Pizzaballa conduct services without restrictions.
Police Cite Safety Reasons
Israeli police said they acted due to safety concerns. They denied any malicious intent. They explained that Jerusalem’s Old City has narrow spaces. Emergency vehicles cannot easily move in case of a major incident.
Officials also said authorities have limited gatherings to about 50 people since the war began. They added that these rules apply to all religious sites.
Palm Sunday Celebrations Affected
Palm Sunday begins the Christian Holy Week. It leads to Easter. It marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion and resurrection.
Usually, thousands of pilgrims join a large procession. This year, officials cancelled the procession. Churches held smaller ceremonies with limited attendance.
Church Criticises the Decision
The Latin Patriarchate criticised the police action. It said the cardinal travelled privately, not in a public procession. The Patriarchate called the move “grossly disproportionate.” It also said the decision was “hasty and fundamentally flawed and tainted by improper considerations.”
Church officials said they had asked permission for a small group to hold a private Mass. They added that such services have continued since the war began.
Netanyahu Defends Initial Move
Netanyahu said authorities acted due to security risks. He claimed Tehran had “repeatedly targeted” religious sites in Jerusalem. He referred to an earlier incident. “In one strike, missile fragments crashed meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”
“Today, out of special concern for his safety, Cardinal Pizzaballa was asked to refrain from holding mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” he said.
He later ordered officials to grant access after reviewing the situation.
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 - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 29, 2026
Over the past several days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three…
Israel Expresses Regret
Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke to the cardinal. He expressed regret over the incident. “I called the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and expressed my deep regret over the incident that occurred…”
He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to religious freedom. He also stressed the need for better coordination in the future.
Global Leaders Condemn the Action
International leaders strongly criticised the move. The US ambassador called it “unfortunate overreach.”
He noted that the group followed gathering limits. “…Churches, synagogues, and mosques throughout Jerusalem have met with the restrictions of 50 or less. For the Patriarch to be barred from entry to the Church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify…”
European officials called it a “violation of religious freedom.”
“The decision by Israeli police to bar Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday constitutes a violation of religious freedom and long-standing protections governing holy sites.”
Leaders from Italy, France, and Jordan also criticised the action. They called it unacceptable.
Mass Held at Alternative Locations
Pizzaballa later held the Mass at St Saviour’s Monastery. The site lies near a protected shelter area. He also led prayers at the Dominus Flevit Shrine on the Mount of Olives.
“In this afternoon of Palm Sunday, we gather without a procession, without palms waving through the streets. This absence is not merely a matter of formalities,” he said.
He added, “Jerusalem remains a sign of both hope and sorrow, of grace and suffering. War will not erase the resurrection. Grief will not extinguish hope.”