On March 29, 2026, Israeli police prevented senior Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, along with the Custos of the Holy Land and other clergy, were stopped as they attempted to enter the church for the solemn liturgy marking the start of Holy Week.
Authorities stated that the action was taken for security reasons due to ongoing regional tensions. Access to major holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City was restricted, and larger public gatherings were limited. Officials later indicated plans to facilitate access for religious leaders later in Holy Week.
The Latin Patriarchate condemned the police action as “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate.” Church representatives noted that the group had attempted to enter privately, without a traditional procession, and described the prevention of the Mass as a break with longstanding religious tradition and the Status Quo arrangements governing sacred sites.
The incident drew international criticism, including from Italy’s prime minister and other foreign governments, who framed the restriction as an infringement on religious freedom. Israel’s leadership later emphasized that the security measures were temporary and guided by safety concerns, not intended as a permanent closure.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, traditionally celebrated with processions and Masses worldwide. The blocking of clergy from entering this historic church for Palm Sunday liturgy marked a rare and controversial moment in Jerusalem’s complex religious and political landscape.
