Israeli authorities have restored access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, following an international outcry. The initial decision to bar him from entering the church on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, was widely condemned by Christian leaders and foreign governments.
Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pizzaballa from entering the site, considered Christianity's holiest, citing unspecified security reasons. The move prompted immediate criticism from the Vatican, various Christian denominations, and diplomatic missions, who called it a violation of religious freedom and the status quo governing Jerusalem's holy sites.
In a statement, Israeli officials said the decision was reversed after a review, allowing the Patriarch to resume his religious duties. The incident has heightened tensions in Jerusalem during the sensitive Holy Week period, with observers noting it as a significant diplomatic and interfaith dispute.
