Outrage Explodes After Israeli Police Block Catholic Leaders From Palm Sunday Mass At Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre

International outrage erupted on Sunday morning when Israeli police stopped Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Fr. Francesco Ielpo, the Custos of the Holy Land, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.

The incident occurred as the two church leaders were walking privately to the site, which is revered as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Church officials described the event as the first time in centuries that senior Catholic figures had been barred from conducting this liturgy at the church.

Cardinal Pizzaballa has served as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020. In this role, he leads the Catholic Church in the Holy Land and oversees pastoral care for Catholics in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Cyprus. The position traces its origins to the 19th century and involves maintaining the church’s presence at key Christian holy sites under the longstanding Status Quo agreement that governs shared custody of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre among several Christian denominations

On Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, the patriarch traditionally celebrates Mass at the church. While the Israeli government currently has restrictions on public gatherings amid the conflict with Iran, the two church leaders coordinated with authorities beforehand.

They proceeded without any procession, liturgical vestments in public view, or ceremonial elements and were accompanied only by a small group totaling four people.

Police then halted the group en route and required them to turn back. Israeli authorities cited security directives issued by the Home Front Command, which have kept all major holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City closed to worshippers since the escalation of hostilities. Officials stated that the patriarch’s request had been reviewed the previous day and denied on safety grounds.

Per la prima volta da secoli, ai Capi della Chiesa è stato impedito di celebrare la messa della Domenica delle Palme nella Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro a Gerusalemme. La polizia israeliana ha infatti impedito al Patriarca latino di Gerusalemme, il cardinale Pierbattista Pizzaballa,… pic.twitter.com/SfHqsaI0yz

— Repubblica (@repubblica) March 29, 2026

The Latin Patriarchate and the Custody of the Holy Land issued a joint statement calling the measure “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate.” In addition, they further noted that the visit complied with all prior restrictions and involved no public assembly.

Church leaders emphasized that the cardinal was not attempting to lead a procession or draw crowds. This distinction fueled controversy, as similar small-scale religious activities at other sites in Jerusalem have been permitted under the 50-person gathering limit.

The event prompted statements from several governments. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the denial of access as “an offense not only to believers, but to every community that recognizes religious freedom.”

Italy also summoned Israel’s ambassador in Rome to convey its concerns, while the move was also condemned by French President Emmanuel Macron, several U.S. congressional leaders, and other elected officials worldwide.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a public statement acknowledging the broader safety context affecting all holy sites, including the Western Wall. He noted, however, that the group of four fell well below the 50-person limit applied elsewhere and called the specific decision “an unfortunate overreach” that is “difficult to understand or justify.”

Huckabee added that Israel had indicated it would work with the patriarch to enable safe observance of Holy Week rites. In addition, officials from both the church and Israeli authorities have indicated that discussions are underway to resolve access issues for the remainder of Holy Week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident directly, stating there was “no malicious intent whatsoever, only concern for his (Pizzaballa’s) safety and that of his party.” He added that preparations were underway to allow church leaders access to the site for worship in the coming days.

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