For the First Time in Centuries: No Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
3/29/2026 2:51:42 PM
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced that Israeli police prevented Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from holding Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The Patriarchate noted that this is happening for the first time “in centuries.”
In a statement, it said: “This morning, Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Francesco Ielpo, from entering the church in Jerusalem as they were heading to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.”
The Patriarchate noted that this is happening for the first time “in centuries.”
In a statement, it said: “This morning, Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Francesco Ielpo, from entering the church in Jerusalem as they were heading to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.”