EditEuropean leaders condemn Israeli action blocking Catholic leaders from Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday
Macron's and Meloni’s reactions highlight growing concerns over heavy-handed restrictions on Christian worship enforced by the Israeli authorities
European governments have voiced strong criticism after Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Friar Francesco Ielpo, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass – an unprecedented restriction described by Christian authorities as the first of its kind in centuries.
The incident occurred as Israeli authorities enforced broad closures of holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, citing security risks amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, now in its second month. Police rejected a specific request from the Latin Patriarchate for an exemption to hold a private Mass behind closed doors, despite prior communications. Worshippers gathered instead at the Latin Patriarchate for prayers, while the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives was already canceled due to the conflict.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply denounced the move, stating that “denying entry to religious leaders constitutes an offence not only to believers but for every community that recognises religious freedom.” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he would summon Israel’s ambassador to provide clarifications. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the decision as adding to “the worrying increase in violations of the status of the Holy Places in Jerusalem.”
These European reactions highlight growing concerns over restrictions on Christian worship and access to sacred sites under the current security policies enforced by Israeli authorities. The Latin Patriarchate and Custody of the Holy Land described the blocking of the two senior Catholic figures – who hold primary ecclesiastical responsibility for the Church in the Holy Land – as “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”
Broader context: security measures amid regional war
The closures of major holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall, stem from security protocols linked to the wider Middle East escalation that began with the U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran on 28 February. Israeli police cited the Old City’s complex layout and limited access for emergency vehicles, warning of risks in the event of a mass casualty incident, particularly at sites lacking adequate bomb shelters. Similar restrictions have affected observances for Ramadan, upcoming Passover, and now Easter.
Critics, including Catholic leaders, pointed to perceived inconsistencies: Muslim Waqf preachers were reportedly allowed access to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, and cleaners entered the Western Wall area ahead of Passover. A small group of Franciscan friars and worshippers was permitted limited entry to a nearby shrine, carrying palm fronds.
This Palm Sunday incident unfolds against the backdrop of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government managing multiple fronts of regional conflict. The measures reflect a hardline security-first approach prioritising protection against Iranian threats and proxies, following the broader war that drew in Hezbollah and other actors. While Israeli officials frame these restrictions as necessary to safeguard public safety during heightened tensions, European voices see them as disproportionate encroachments on long-standing religious freedoms and the historic “Status Quo” arrangements governing Jerusalem’s holy sites.
The Vatican has not issued an immediate comment on the specific blocking of Cardinal Pizzaballa. However, the episode adds to international scrutiny of access to Christian holy places in Jerusalem amid the ongoing conflicts.
European leaders’ swift condemnations – particularly from traditionally friendly nations like Italy and France – underscore diplomatic friction and calls for greater respect for religious liberties even in times of war.
With Reuters, edited by EUalive.
Caption: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, holds a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday, in Jerusalem, 29 March 2026, following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, amid restrictions on gathering in large groups and the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. EPA/Ammar Awad / POOL
Updated: March 29, 2026 - 16:47
