Israeli police did not let the Latin Patriarch into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Israeli police did not allow the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the rector of the Custodia of the Holy Land, Francesco Yelpo, to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post on March 29.

"The Israeli police did not allow Cardinal Pierbatista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Pizzaballa, accompanied by the abbot of the Custodia of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Yelpo, was heading to the church for mass on Palm Sunday when the police stopped them and forced them to return.

The Catholic Church said this was the first time "in centuries" that church hierarchs had been banned from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

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On March 22, Pope Leo XIV called the US and Israeli military operation in Iran "a disgrace to all mankind," calling for an end to the war. The Pontiff stressed that he was following the events in the Middle East "with concern." According to him, it is necessary to pray for a peaceful solution to the conflict based on dialogue and mutual respect.

On March 1, Leo XIV already expressed concern about the escalation in the Middle East and Iran, calling on the parties to moral responsibility and dialogue. The Pontiff also said that peace cannot be built on threats and weapons. He called a "reasonable, genuine and responsible dialogue" the only right way.

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