Israel faces global backlash after blocking Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Sepulchre

Israel is facing widespread condemnation after police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. In a joint statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said the two men were stopped while proceeding privately to the church and were “compelled to turn back”, adding that this was the first time in centuries that the heads of the Church had been prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Holy Sepulchre. The same statement described the Israeli decision as a “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure” and rejected efforts to justify […]