All articles tagged with #holy sepulchre
Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Gallagher met with Israel’s ambassador Yaron Sideman to discuss the Palm Sunday incident in which Israeli police barred Patriarch Pizzaballa and Custos Fr. Ielpo from entering the Holy Sepulchre. The Holy See expressed regret, provided clarifications, and noted an agreement with local authorities on participating in Easter Triduum liturgies at the Basilica.
Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and other Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a private Palm Sunday Mass, drawing swift criticism from the Latin Patriarchate and allies such as the United States, France and Italy. Officials cited safety concerns and access limits in the Old City amid security tensions, while Netanyahu said there was no malicious intent and vowed to try to partially reopen the site in the coming days.
France, Italy and Poland condemned Israel after Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was blocked from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, with Israel citing security concerns over potential debris from Iranian missiles. Leaders including Macron and Meloni voiced dismay, while Netanyahu defended security measures and pledged to facilitate access for church leaders in the coming days as Jerusalem’s holy sites remain under restricted access amid the broader conflict.
Israeli police barred Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday due to safety concerns amid heightened Jerusalem security during an Iran-related conflict, prompting Vatican condemnation as the Catholic Church canceled its Palm Sunday procession.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land were blocked by Israeli police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, a move they called an unprecedented and disproportionate restriction on worship, despite complying with restrictions; they expressed sorrow and warned it undermines the status quo and the faith of believers worldwide.
A letter reviewed by The Times of Israel contradicts allegations by church leaders that Israel Police was unnecessarily infringing on Christians’ freedom of worship during the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The letter indicates that restrictions on the ceremony were imposed at the request of a Greek Orthodox official due to safety concerns. Israel says it wants to prevent another disaster after a crowd crush at a packed Jewish holy site in 2021 left 45 people dead. Attendance is limited to 1,800 people inside the church, which Greek Orthodox officials said was a fraction of previous years.