Access Denied: Latin Patriarch Prevented from Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in Jerusalem
Israeli police barred Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, raising concerns about religious access amid ongoing tensions.
On March 29, 2026, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa was denied entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Palm Sunday Mass, marking a notable shift in religious access protocols in Jerusalem.
This incident is significant as it represents the first time in centuries that the Latin Patriarch has been barred from such a key religious site, indicating a potential escalation in the management of holy sites amidst ongoing conflict.
Israeli police cited security concerns as the reason for the closure of all holy sites in Jerusalem, a decision that has drawn criticism from international figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who emphasized the need for guaranteed worship rights for all religions.