Israel preventing mass by Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch an ‘offence to the faithful’: Italy
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Cardinals attending the Holy Mass of Palm Sunday in Vatican City on March 29.
PHOTO: EPA
ROME – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israeli police actions preventing Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch from celebrating Palm Sunday mass.
The Latin Patriarchate earlier said Israeli police stopped Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa – an archbishop with Catholic jurisdiction across Israel and the Palestinian territories – from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to conduct the mass.
Ms Meloni said in a statement the incident was “an offence not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom”.
Italy Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X he had summoned Israel’s ambassador over the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli police had “no malicious intent” when they prevented the cardinal, from entering the church.
“Today, out of special concern for his safety, Jerusalem police prevented the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa from holding mass this morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” Mr Netanyahu said on X.
“Again, there was no malicious intent whatsoever, only concern for his safety and that of his party.”
Israeli police did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment about the incident.
At the start of the US‑Israeli offensive against Iran on Feb 28, Israeli authorities banned large gatherings – including in synagogues, churches and mosques – and capped public events at 50 people.
Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week for Christians, marks Christ’s final entry into Jerusalem, days before his crucifixion and resurrection, according to the Gospels.
The Latin Patriarchate had also cancelled the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, which normally draws thousands of worshippers.
Pope Leo XIV, speaking after the Angelus prayer in Rome on March 29, paid tribute to “the Christians of the Middle East, who suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases cannot fully live the rites of these holy days”. AFP
