Restrictions on Holy Week Celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

On March 29, 2026, Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo, the custos of the Holy Land, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. This marked the first time in centuries that church leaders were barred from conducting services at this significant Christian site, which commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The police cited safety concerns related to ongoing missile threats from Iran as the reason for the restriction, stating that the Old City’s narrow alleys posed challenges for emergency access.

The Jerusalem PostNational Catholic ReporterCNNPBS News Hour

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions due to the ongoing military conflict involving Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Israeli authorities have implemented sweeping restrictions on access to religious sites in East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall, as a precaution against missile attacks. The Latin Patriarchate expressed that the police's decision to bar the church leaders was "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate," emphasizing that it impeded freedom of worship and violated the status quo governing holy sites.

Netanyahu Links Jerusalem Church Restrictions to Iranian Missile Threats

Following the backlash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there was "no malicious intent" behind the police's actions and emphasized the need for safety. He later instructed authorities to allow Pizzaballa to hold services at the church. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed regret over the incident and reaffirmed Israel's commitment to religious freedom. However, international leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the police's actions as violations of religious freedom and called for the protection of worship rights in Jerusalem.

PBS News Hour

The barring of church leaders drew widespread condemnation from various quarters. Palestinian authorities labeled the incident an illegal military measure and a violation of worship rights. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee described the police's actions as an "unfortunate overreach," while other leaders criticized the Israeli government for failing to uphold the sanctity of Jerusalem’s religious sites. Some local voices, including a Catholic shopkeeper, expressed disappointment in Pizzaballa for not confronting the police and suggested he should have prayed in the street instead.

National Catholic Reporter

In response to the uproar, an agreement was reached allowing church representatives to conduct ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with services to be broadcast live. The Latin Patriarchate expressed gratitude for the intervention by Israeli authorities while maintaining that existing restrictions on public gatherings would remain in effect due to the ongoing conflict. The situation continues to evolve as church leaders and Israeli officials seek to navigate the complexities of religious observance amid security concerns.

CNN

• “This incident is a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.” — Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

CNN

• “For the Patriarch to be barred from entry to the Church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify.” — Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel

National Catholic Reporter

• “The free exercise of worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all religions.” — Emmanuel Macron, French President

PBS News Hour

• “Preventing church leaders from entering the church “constitutes an insult not only to believers, but to every community that recognizes religious freedom,” Meloni said.” — Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister

CNN