when is palm sunday: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Fr. Francesco Ielpo, the Custos of the Holy Land, were prevented by Israel Police on the morning of March 29, 2026 (ET) from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land issued a joint statement saying the two were proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession when they were stopped and forced to turn back. The Patriarchate called the decision a “grave precedent” that prevented the heads of the Church from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass.
When Is Palm Sunday: What happened at the Holy Sepulchre
Church the Patriarch and the Custos had acted in full responsibility during the war, complying with all restrictions that cancelled public gatherings, prohibited attendance, and required celebrations to be broadcast. The joint statement described the prevention of entry as “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure” and expressed “profound sorrow” that prayer on one of the most sacred days of the Christian calendar was prevented.
The Israel Police response in this matter emphasized the security assessment of the Old City. The police said the Patriarch’s request to pray at the Church had been previously reviewed and denied because of the security situation, noting that the Old City and the holy sites “constitute a complex area that does not allow access for large emergency and rescue vehicles, which significantly challenges response capabilities and poses a real risk to human life in the event of a mass casualty incident. ” The Prime Minister’s Office added there was “no malicious intent whatsoever, ” saying Jerusalem police acted out of special concern for the Patriarch’s safety.
Immediate reactions from church and state
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land framed the move as an unprecedented break with long-standing practice and with respect for the Status Quo at the holy sites. They said the restriction disregarded “the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem. ” The Patriarchate also highlighted that arrangements had been made to broadcast celebrations to hundreds of millions of faithful worldwide.
Diplomatic frictions followed: Israel’s representative to Rome, Jonathan Peled, was summoned to the Italian Foreign Ministry for a discussion, and several embassies sought explanations from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Israeli Foreign Ministry cited a substantial risk to life in the Old City due to the ongoing war with Iran and said police would meet with Cardinal Pizzaballa to “explore solutions that allow for as normal a routine as possible while ensuring public safety. “
What’s next
The immediate next step is a planned meeting between Israel Police and Cardinal Pizzaballa to seek arrangements that balance access to worship with security constraints. Questions about when is palm sunday observances will be accessible to church leaders and the faithful remain central as authorities and church officials negotiate how to allow rites while citing safety concerns. Watch for the outcome of the police meeting and any follow-up statements from the Latin Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Israeli security authorities that could determine whether customary rites at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre can be resumed under adjusted security terms.
