All articles tagged with #church of the holy sepulchre
Israel reversed its plan to bar Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from Easter Week services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, amid international criticism over restrictions on holy sites during Holy Week and concerns about interfaith relations amid the Iran conflict; critics say the reversal came too late and other sites remained closed.
Israeli police blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Fr. Francesco Ielpo from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday, citing safety concerns amid war-related tensions and ongoing closures of holy sites, prompting condemnations from world leaders and a pledge from Netanyahu to ensure Easter access.
Israeli police barred Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Custos of the Holy Land from privately celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, citing safety concerns as Jerusalem’s holy sites remain largely closed amid security tensions from the Iran war; the move drew criticism from the U.S., France, and Italy, while Netanyahu said there was no malicious intent and pledged to arrange limited access in coming days.
Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday, the first such interruption in centuries, with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office citing safety concerns amid broader security tensions in the Old City. The two officials were traveling privately, the Latin Patriarchate said, and organizers noted there was no procession. Reactions from Italy, France and other leaders condemned the move as a violation of religious freedom, while Netanyahu’s office pledged a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the site in the coming days as Easter week continues.
Israeli police blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and a priest from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a private Palm Sunday Mass, citing security restrictions amid the war with Iran. The move drew criticism from Church leaders and governments; Netanyahu said there was no malice and warned plans to enable worship would proceed in coming days, while the Latin Patriarchate held private services elsewhere and a traditional public procession was canceled.
Catholic leaders were blocked by Israeli police from entering Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday, a move described by the Latin Patriarchate as a grave precedent and the first such restriction in centuries. The cancellation of the Palm Sunday procession comes amid broader security-related restrictions on holy sites in East Jerusalem related to the ongoing conflict, drawing criticism from Italy and prayers from the Vatican. Israeli authorities said the measures were for public safety, with plans to enable worship at the site in the coming days.
Thousands of Palestinian Christians and pilgrims celebrated the Orthodox Holy Light ceremony in Jerusalem's Old City under heavy Israeli police presence, limiting attendance to 1,800 people inside and 1,200 more outside. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch emerged from the sealed empty tomb with a lighted candle, an act considered an annual Holy Saturday miracle before Orthodox Easter Sunday. The churches protested the large police presence, which they see as part of long-standing efforts to push out the local Christian community. Israeli police set up checkpoints at the entrance to and across the walled Old City, leaving thousands unable to reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.