On March 29, 2026, a significant disruption occurred in Jerusalem involving Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Italian Catholic priest and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who was initially barred from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. Israeli authorities prevented his entry earlier that day, citing concerns for his safety amid the ongoing war with Iran. This unprecedented move marked the first time in centuries that the heads of the Church were denied the opportunity to hold the traditional Palm Sunday Mass at this historic and sacred site, which is revered by billions of Christians worldwide.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem released a statement explaining that Cardinal Pizzaballa and Reverend Father Francesco Ielpo were stopped as they proceeded privately to conduct the Mass. The Patriarchate emphasized that this was not part of any procession or public ceremony but rather a private religious observance. They described the decision by Israeli police as a "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure," accusing authorities of making a hasty and fundamentally flawed judgment influenced by improper considerations. The statement highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that it disregarded the feelings of countless believers around the globe who look to Jerusalem during Holy Week.
Earlier in the day, Israeli police told Agence France-Presse that they had received a request from Cardinal Pizzaballa but could not approve it. They cited the complexity of Jerusalem's Old City, where access for large emergency and rescue vehicles is limited, raising concerns over the possibility of a mass casualty event amid heightened tensions. However, the police did not specify the exact nature of the request. According to Farid Jubran, spokesperson for the Latin Patriarchate, the church had sought permission for a few religious leaders to enter for a private Mass, which had been ongoing privately since the war began.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later intervened, taking to social media to clarify his position. He explained that the initial denial was made out of "special concern for [Cardinal Pizzaballa's] safety," given Iran's repeated targeting of religious sites in Jerusalem, including a recent incident where missile fragments landed close to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Netanyahu acknowledged these security concerns but emphasized that upon learning of the incident, he instructed authorities to grant the Patriarch full and immediate access to the church. Netanyahu also assured that Israel's security forces were working on a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the site safely in the coming days.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed deep regret over the incident on social media, affirming Israel's unwavering commitment to religious freedom and maintaining the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites. The event occurred during a period when all holy sites in Jerusalem had been closed due to the war involving Iran. Israeli officials have imposed restrictions on public gatherings, including at religious sites, limiting attendance to about 50 people. These measures led to the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession, which ordinarily attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims worldwide. While ceremonies continued in other churches, attendance was strictly limited.
Palm Sunday marks the start of Christian Holy Week, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion and resurrection. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in Jerusalem's Old City, is traditionally regarded as the site of Jesus' resurrection, making it a focal point of Christian pilgrimage and worship during this period.
The incident drew criticism from various international figures and governments. Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, described the police action as an "unfortunate overreach," pointing out that the group was well within the permitted size limit of 50 attendees. He noted that churches, synagogues, and mosques across Jerusalem have complied with these restrictions. Huckabee expressed difficulty in understanding or justifying the barring of the Patriarch from entering the church for a private ceremony on such a significant day. He added that Israel had indicated a willingness to work with Pizzaballa to arrange a safe way to conduct Holy Week activities.
The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, condemned the action as a violation of religious freedom and the longstanding protections governing holy sites. She stressed that freedom of worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed unconditionally for all faiths and that the city's multi-religious character should be preserved.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the police's actions as an affront not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called the incident unacceptable and summoned Israel's ambassador to discuss the matter. French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced his condemnation, underscoring the necessity of guaranteed worship rights for all religions in Jerusalem. He noted that the police action added to a worrying pattern of violations concerning the status of holy places in the city.
The Jordanian foreign ministry issued a strong condemnation, describing the incident as a flagrant violation of international law and humanitarian law, as well as an infringement on the legal and historical status quo. They emphasized the importance of unrestricted access to places of worship.
In Rome, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Middle Eastern Christians enduring the hardships of the ongoing conflict, many of whom are unable to fully participate in the rites of Holy Week. Although the Vatican did not comment specifically on the police incident, the Pope's remarks acknowledged the broader challenges faced by Christians in the region.
Following the denial of access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Cardinal Pizzaballa celebrated Mass at St. Savior's Monastery, a nearby marble church adjacent to an underground music school that the Israeli military has designated as a safe shelter. Later, he led a prayer for peace at the Dominus Flevit Shrine on the Mount of Olives. In his liturgy, which was shared online, Pizzaballa reflected on the limitations imposed by the war, without directly mentioning the morning's events.
He remarked on the absence of the traditional procession and the waving of palms through the streets, emphasizing that this absence was not a mere formality but a consequence of the war interrupting the festive journey. He expressed solidarity with the local Christian community, who could not fill the streets or join in the customary celebrations. Pizzaballa described Jerusalem as a symbol of both hope and sorrow, grace and suffering, offering a message of resilience: "War will not erase the resurrection. Grief will not extinguish hope."
Local Christian worshippers in Jerusalem's Old City expressed sadness over the cancellation of traditional processions and activities. Andre, a 51-year-old resident who preferred to give only his first name, told AFP that the absence of the usual procession beginning at the Mount of Olives was deeply felt. Simon Hosh, 25, similarly lamented the inability to celebrate in the streets as in previous years, noting that this year's observances were confined to the church due to war-related precautions, which he found unfortunate.
In summary, the barring of Cardinal Pizzaballa from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday due to security concerns amid the Iran-Israel conflict sparked significant controversy and international condemnation. The incident highlighted the delicate balance between security measures and religious freedoms in Jerusalem, a city sacred to multiple faiths. While Israeli authorities eventually permitted the Cardinal to access the church, the event underscored the tension and challenges faced by religious communities during times of conflict. Despite these difficulties, church leaders and worshippers sought to maintain their traditions as best as possible, offering prayers for peace and hope amid the ongoing turmoil.