A strong joint statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land responded to an action by Israel police this morning, preventing the two most senior Catholic Church leaders in the region from celebrating Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
[Article updated after publication with response from Israel's prime minister, below.]
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Franciscan Fr. Francesco Ielpo were unable to make their way to one of Jerusalem's most holy places to celebrate Mass for the beginning of Holy Week as the police turned them back.
The prevention was unusual -- the statement called it "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate" -- because the cancellation of public events had already been foreseen.
"The two were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back," the statement said, leaving it to be assumed that they were not advised beforehand, despite their senior status.
The statement spoke of it as a "hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations."
In a note on March 22, the cardinal had already indicated that there would not be a Palm Sunday procession -- a momentous beginning to Holy Week around the world, but especially in the place where the original procession occurred as Jesus entered Jerusalem.
The cardinal indicated in that previous note that there had been "constant dialogue with the competent authorities, together with the other Christian Churches" in order to evaluate how "we can celebrate the central Mystery of our salvation in the heart of our Churches."
He acknowledged the "situation is constantly evolving" and that it wasn't possible to provide "definitive indications for the days to come," but expected coordination on a "day-to-day basis" -- something that apparently didn't happen fully on Palm Sunday.
In fact, about two weeks ago -- on March 16 -- Israeli police reported sites in the Old City of Jerusalem were hit by fragments of debris from missiles or interceptors, including in the vicinity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Blessing of Jerusalem
In any case, later in the day the Patriarchate released images from an "intimate and solemn ceremony," with the cardinal blessing the City of Jerusalem from Gethsemane with a relic of the True Cross, imploring peace.
In his meditation, the cardinal referred to the Gospel account where Jesus laments, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... How often have I desired to gather your children together..."
Today Jesus weeps once more over Jerusalem. He weeps over this city, which remains a sign of both hope and sorrow, of grace and suffering. He weeps over this Holy Land, still unable to recognize the gift of peace. He weeps for all the victims of a war that seems without end: for divided families, for shattered hopes. But the tears of Jesus are never fruitless. They open our eyes, challenge us, and reveal the truth.
Global reaction
At the same time, the choice made by the Israeli police this morning generated public reaction, starting with a defense from Israeli authorities.
A post on X from the Israeli Foreign Ministry promised a meeting with Cardinal Pizzaballa.
But the government of Italy spoke of the action as "an offense not only to believers, but to every community that recognizes religious freedom," and called in the Israeli ambassador to discuss the situation.
Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas called it a “violation of religious freedom.”
Among other reactions, the government of Spain also made a statement, as well as lawmakers from the United States.
Some hours later, the Israeli prime minister responded on X, saying that when he had learned of the incident, he had instructed authorities to "enable the Patriarch to hold services as he wishes."
Clarity ... and prayer
In his midday Angelus address, after his own Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV called for prayers for the Christians in the Holy Land, "who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days."
It is not clear if he already was aware of the situation of this morning, or was speaking more generally in light of the previous cancellations of the Palm Sunday procession.
Cardinal Pizzaballa later spoke with Italy's TV2000, to say that "we failed to understand one another, and that is what happened. This has never happened before; I am sorry that it has come to this.”
He affirmed that the police had orders to prohibit any type of gathering in places without a shelter, "however, we had not asked for anything public, only a brief and small private ceremony to preserve the idea of the celebration in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," he said.
The cardinal assured that everything ensued in a "very polite manner" but added that he hoped to "use this situation to try to clarify in the coming days what to do while respecting everyone’s safety but also respecting the right to pray.”
There are people "far worse off than us who cannot celebrate for very different reasons," he added.
Jerusalem's status
For example, at the United Nations in 2025, Archbishop Caccia (now the Pope's representative to the USA), said:
Jerusalem is a city of universal religious and cultural significance. It is sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Therefore, it requires a status that transcends political divisions and ensures the preservation of its unique identity. To this end, the Holy See reiterates its longstanding call for an internationally guaranteed special statute capable of ensuring the dignity and rights of all its inhabitants and the faithful of the three monotheistic religions, the equality before the law of their institutions and communities, safeguarding the City’s sacred character and exceptional religious and cultural heritage.
Furthermore, it must ensure the protection of the Holy Places, guarantee the unhindered right to access them, and to worship there. It must also preserve the “Status Quo,” where applicable. In Jerusalem no one should be subjected to harassment. Therefore, it is regrettable that Christians feel increasingly threatened in the Old City of Jerusalem.
