Israel stops church leaders from entering Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday for the first time in centuries.
The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem said, “For the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”
“This incident is a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.”
The two senior Church officials, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, “were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back,” the Patriarchate said.
The Italian government has also criticised the police decision to bar access to the church and plans to summon the Israeli ambassador in Rome.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement that the incident was “an offence not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom”.
What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the most sacred period in the Christian calendar, with Sunday’s liturgy commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The church is believed to be the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection.
Death toll in Palestine
Israeli oppression in Gaza continues, as 72,278 people have been killed and 172,013 injured since October 2023, medical sources say.
