Israel blocks top Catholic leaders from Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Sepulchre

Israel blocks top Catholic leaders from Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Sepulchre Submitted by MEE staff on Sun, 03/29/2026 - 12:34 Church bodies in Jerusalem say move sets grave precedent and is 'tainted by improper considerations' A Palestinian Christian holds a cross and a palm frond at the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after finding them locked in Jerusalem’s Old City, 29 March 2026 (Reuters/Ammar Awad) Off Israeli forces blocked two senior Catholic leaders from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch, and Father Francesco Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land, were stopped en route to the church. The leaders had attempted to enter privately without any ceremonial procession or public gathering, but were refused access.