Internet erupts after Israeli police block Cardinal from Palm Sunday Mass at Jerusalem's holiest church
Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass on March 29.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that Pizzaballa and the church's official guardian, Rev. Francesco Ielpo, were stopped en route and forced to turn back, calling it "the first time in centuries" that Palm Sunday Mass couldn't be held at the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified.
World leaders took to X to slam the decision
The backlash was swift and came from all directions. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, not exactly known for criticizing Israeli policy, posted on X that barring the Patriarch "for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify."
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni called the move "an offense not only against believers but against every community that recognizes religious freedom," while French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was part of "a worrying series of violations" regarding Jerusalem's holy sites.
Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, called it "painful to all Christians," and the European Parliament's vice president labeled it "a grave, unprecedented, and unacceptable violation of religious freedom."
Netanyahu's office scrambled to respond
As the posts piled up online, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office moved quickly into damage control, claiming police acted "out of special concern for his safety" and insisting there was "no malicious intent whatsoever."
The statement pointed to Iran's ongoing conflict with Israel, noting that ballistic missile fragments had previously landed meters from the church. All Old City holy sites had been closed to worshippers since the war with Iran broke out in February, according to the government.
But that explanation didn't satisfy critics. After the wave of international condemnation, Netanyahu posted on X promising "full and immediate access" to the site. By early Monday, police announced they'd approved a "limited prayer framework" for the church.
What made the moment hit even harder was the timing. The traditional Palm Sunday procession, which normally draws thousands through Jerusalem's streets, had already been canceled due to Israel's ban on large gatherings. The Patriarchate stressed that the two men were "proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act," making the police intervention all the more difficult to defend.
The Latin Patriarchate warned that the incident sets "a grave precedent" and disregards "the sensibilities of billions of people around the world" during Christianity's holiest week.
Netanyahu's office has since said authorities will put together a plan to allow church leaders access to the site for the remainder of Easter week, but the damage was already done.