The Vatican expressed to the ambassador of Israel to the Holy See, Yaron Sideman, its “regret” over the “unfortunate” ban on Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. According to a statement confirmed by the Vatican on Monday, the communication was conveyed to the ambassador by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and his head for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher. During the meeting, “regret was expressed over what happened,” for which “clarifications have been offered” to the Vatican, the note emphasizes. Furthermore, the Holy See “has taken note” of the agreement reached between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the local authorities regarding participation in the liturgies of the Easter Triduum, Holy Week, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In its brief statement, the Vatican explains that the meeting with the ambassador was to discuss the “unfortunate” episode of this Palm Sunday, when the prelate and Patriarch Francesco Ielpo were denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This despite respecting security restrictions that limit the capacity to 50 people due to the war with Iran. This unprecedented gesture has generated strong international condemnation, which forced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appear last night to revoke that decision and announce that he would allow the prelate to pass. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed on Monday that “the matters related to the celebrations of Holy Week in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been resolved” with the authorities of Israel and has trusted that there will be “solutions” to guarantee prayer in all holy places.
