The White House on Monday expressed concern that the Israeli police on Palm Sunday, she prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballo from entering the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher and serve mass in it. This was reported by the AFP agency, writes TASR.
Speaker Karoline Leavittová interpreted at the briefing the position of the White House, which wants “the faithful to have access to these holy places.” At the same time, she added that the White House also takes into account Israel’s concerns about the security of the holy sites.
As reported by the Vatican media, the Israeli authorities on Sunday, March 29 they did not allow Cardinal Pizzaballo and Custos of the Holy Land Francesco Ielpa to enter the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The mass they wanted to serve there was to be held without the usual procession and crowds of believers, which was related to the security measures taken for the war in the Middle East.
Christians consider the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to be the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Responding to Israel’s action, the Latin Patriarchate said it was the first time in centuries that a Latin patriarch had been denied entry to the site on Palm Sunday.
In a statement on Sunday, the patriarchate called the incident a “serious precedent” that does not respect the feelings of millions of believers around the world. But on Monday the patriarch’s office announced that the matter had been “addressed and resolved” and thanked Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog for his intervention.
The Israeli police subsequently said they had agreed a “joint framework” with the patriarchate for Easter ceremonies. The Holy Fire ceremony, which is traditionally held in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Holy (White) Saturday, is to take place in a limited format.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed on Monday that the Latin Patriarch will receive “full and immediate access” to the holy site. He clarified that the Israeli police asked the patriarch not to enter the temple on Palm Sunday, out of concern for his safety, as Iran repeatedly bombards holy sites in Jerusalem with rockets.
The incident involving Cardinal Pizzaball caused outrage in Europe: she reacted critically to him, e.g. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that freedom of religious ceremonies in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all religions.
