Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was able to celebrate Mass on Easter Sunday, although only behind closed doors due to a government order, which had prevented the Palm Sunday Mass a week earlier. Pizzaballa, as confirmed by the Argentine News Agency, celebrated Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—the site where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion—behind closed doors and with a small group of friars due to Israeli restrictions amid the conflict with Iran. "Easter begins like this: not with an explanation, but with a rupture," the religious figure stated in comments carried by various international agencies. In the rite at this basilica, located in the occupied East Jerusalem's Old City, the patriarch and about twenty people participated, including clergy and some friars who live in the complex, according to a video of the Mass. Israeli police, however, prevented the faithful who had gathered in the surroundings with palm branches, crosses, and candles from entering. "Easter begins like this: not with an explanation, but with a rupture." Happy Easter!
