Photo: Alamy
Christians across the globe expressed frustration after two church leaders were denied entry into the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday. The Holy Sepulchre is the site where Jesus was likely crucified and buried. It is incredibly important to Easter celebrations, which last throughout the entirety of holy week.
At the start of holy week, which began on Palm Sunday, Israeli Police denied the head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the official Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Custos of the Holy Land, the Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, entry to the holy site.
My statement re Prohibiting the Latin Patriarch of entering Church of Holy Sepulcher on Palm Sunday:
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 29, 2026
While all Holy sites in the Old City are closed due to safety concerns for mass gatherings including the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher and Al Aqsa Mosque, the action…
According to the New York Post, religious leaders were notified that mass could not be held due to the War in Iran. Whether safety concerns should warrant the closure of religious spaces once again became debatable, much like during the COVID-19 lockdowns, reminding those who followed the situation of the importance of prayer in times of uncertainty. The closure even led to criticisms from notable political leaders, including U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly discussed the situation on his X account. “In one strike, missile fragments crashed meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” he explained, stating that Iran was targeting the holy sites of the three main religions in the area. “To protect worshippers, Israel asked members of all faiths to temporarily abstain from worshipping at the Christian, Muslim and Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City.”
I have instructed the relevant authorities that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, be granted full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 29, 2026
Over the past several days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three…
He then added, “As soon as I learned about the incident with Cardinal Pizzaballa, I instructed the authorities to enable the Patriarch to hold services as he wishes.”
By Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the Trump administration contacted Israeli leadership to encourage the reopening of holy sites. “We want worshippers to be able to access these holy sites. Of course, safety is a top priority, but we understand Israel is working on those measures to reopen the sites throughout holy week and that’s something that we’re appreciative of.”
The White House says the US has raised concerns with Israel after a Catholic cardinal was blocked from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday.
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 31, 2026
The restrictions, imposed since the war on Iran began, mean holy sites in Jerusalem have been closed to worshippers. pic.twitter.com/VxTbzZecTr
A press release from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem detailing the reopening of holy sites for holy week celebrations was issued within the following day. “The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land hereby confirm that the matters concerning the Holy Week and Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been addressed and resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities,” it read. “In agreement with the Israel Police, access for representatives of the Churches has been secured in order to conduct the liturgies and ceremonies and to preserve the ancient Easter traditions at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”
The importance of religious human rights was noted, as were hopes for peace. “It is our hope that appropriate arrangements will continue to be found, enabling prayer to take place in places of worship, particularly in the Holy Places of all religions, in a manner that respects both legitimate safety needs and the religious observances and prayers that are of profound importance to hundreds of millions of believers,” The release also stated.
As holy week continues, so too do prayers for an end to the war. But regardless of ongoing uncertainty, the situation once again illustrated how faith trumps the fear of harm, and that every participant should be allowed the choice as to how they wish to honor Easter celebrations without political interference.
