Israeli police bar top Catholic figure in Jerusalem from holding Palm Sunday mass at Holy Sepulchre

Key Points:

• Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, marking the first time in centuries that church leaders were barred from this ceremony.
• The Latin Patriarchate condemned the action as a grave precedent that disregards the religious sensitivities of billions worldwide, while Israeli authorities have not yet responded to the incident.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized the move, with Tajani summoning Israel's ambassador, and French President Emmanuel Macron condemned it as a violation of the status of holy places in Jerusalem.
• The incident occurred amid Israeli bans on large public gatherings since the Middle East war began in late February, with restrictions limiting gatherings to around 50 people; the traditional Palm Sunday procession was also canceled this year.
• The Latin Patriarchate stated that the church leaders complied with all restrictions and called the decision to bar Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Custos from entering the church "unreasonable and grossly disproportionate," violating principles of freedom of worship and respect for the status quo.