Jerusalem (EFE) – The Israeli police blocked access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, as he was on his way to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. Church leaders were prohibited from holding Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Authorities arrested Pizzaballa along with the Custodian of the Holy Land, Francesco Ielpo, while they were heading to the Holy Sepulchre. This event occurs against the backdrop of the conflict between Israel and the United States against Iran, which has led Israeli authorities to close the sacred sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Al Aqsa Mosque complex, the Western Wall, and the Holy Sepulchre. The Palm Sunday procession, which usually takes place from the Mount of Olives, was cancelled due to restrictions imposed by Israel limiting gatherings in the country to a maximum of 50 people.
The Israeli police prevent the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from holding the Palm Sunday Mass.
