Israeli police block Latin patriarch from Holy Sepulchre over security concerns

The Patriarchate said it marked the first time in centuries that church leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the site.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel Police prevented Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, citing security concerns tied to the ongoing war with Iran, according to statements from church authorities and Israeli officials.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Pizzaballa, accompanied by Father Francesco Ielpo, the official guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was stopped by police and forced to turn back while making his way to the church “privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act.”

The Patriarchate said it marked the first time in centuries that church leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the site, calling the decision “a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.”

“This hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations, represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the status quo,” the Patriarchate said.

In response, Israel Police said the request for access had been reviewed in advance and denied due to safety concerns. “The Old City and the holy sites constitute a complex area that does not allow access for large emergency and rescue vehicles, which significantly challenges response capabilities and poses a real risk to human life in the event of a mass-casualty incident,” police said.

The Foreign Ministry said there was a substantial risk to life in the Old City due to the war, while the Prime Minister’s Office said there had been “no malicious intent whatsoever” and described the decision as based on concern for the patriarch’s safety.

Officials said police would meet with Pizzaballa after the event “to explore solutions that allow for as normal a routine as possible while ensuring public safety,” and that a plan was being developed to enable church leaders to worship at the site in the coming days.

Traditional Palm Sunday events, including the annual procession into Jerusalem, were canceled due to restrictions imposed by Home Front Command.

The incident prompted diplomatic inquiries, with Israeli Ambassador to Italy Jonathan Peled summoned by the Italian Foreign Ministry and additional requests for clarification submitted by foreign embassies.