In Jerusalem, police prevented Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa from celebrating Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Israeli police have banned the Latin Patriarch from celebrating Mass on Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The Times of Israel reports this. The case concerns Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who was stopped by Israeli police on his way to church. This incident prompted a harsh response from the Italian government.
Prime Minister Meloni called it “an insult to believers,” and Italian Foreign Minister Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador.
The cardinal's office said the incident “ignores the feelings of billions of people.”
“For the first time in centuries, the heads of the Church have been prohibited from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This incident ignores the feelings of billions of people around the world who are turning their gaze to Jerusalem this week,” the chancery said in a statement.
