Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from celebrating the traditional Palm Sunday mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday in an incident described as "serious" that marred the start of Holy Week for millions of faithful around the world. According to a joint statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land, the religious figure, along with Custodian Francesco Ielpo, was intercepted by authorities as he was heading to the temple in the Old City, without a procession or ceremonial act, and was forced to turn back. For the first time in centuries, the highest Catholic authorities were unable to hold mass in the place considered one of the holiest for Christianity, according to the Argentine News Agency. The international reaction was not long in coming. Meanwhile, from the Patriarchate, they denounced that the decision constitutes an "unreasonable and disproportionate" measure that violates basic principles such as freedom of worship and respect for the status quo in holy places. __IP__During the day, Pope Leo XIV also spoke out, referring to the fact during his Palm Sunday mass in the Vatican and praying for peace in the Middle East. The Pontiff stated that conflicts prevent many Christians from fully living the rites of Holy Week and called on the international community to work for reconciliation, in a context marked by violence and growing tension in the region.
