Police Stop Cardinal from Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday

The Old City of Jerusalem is full of sacred places. On Palm Sunday, a day that starts Holy Week for Christians, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem tried to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Police stopped him and a friar from entering the church. They said security worries linked to the Iran conflict made it unsafe. This is the first time in many years that a church leader could not celebrate Palm Sunday there. The Patriarchate said the block prevented the Mass from happening inside the church. Israeli police have shut down many holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City since tensions with Iran began. They closed places that do not have bomb shelters, because they could not move big emergency vehicles in the narrow streets. The police said their request for an exemption was denied. They argued that a large crowd could make it hard to respond quickly in case of an emergency.The restrictions affected more than one religion. Christians could not celebrate Easter, Muslims could not attend Ramadan prayers at Al‑Aqsa Mosque, and Jews were limited in visiting the Western Wall for Passover. Italian leaders protested. The prime minister said denying religious leaders is an offense to believers and communities that value freedom of faith. France’s president called the decision a violation of holy places’ status. The Vatican did not reply to requests for comments. The Pope’s recent speech criticized leaders who start wars and carry blood on their hands. Some locals said the rules were not applied evenly. Muslim preachers could enter Al‑Aqsa during Ramadan, and cleaners could work at the Western Wall before Passover. Friars were allowed into a nearby shrine to mark Palm Sunday, and a photo showed a small group praying with palm fronds. The Patriarchate’s spokesperson said police were told the Mass would be private and closed‑door. Despite that, the officers still blocked entry.