Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, is set to regain access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reversed the ban, citing security concerns. The decision to block Pizzaballa from entering the church on Palm Sunday sparked international condemnation, with leaders from France, Italy, and the US criticizing the move as a violation of religious freedom. Netanyahu stated that there was “no malicious intent” behind the initial ban, but rather a concern for Pizzaballa’s safety amid heightened tensions and missile strikes near the church.
The reversal comes after global pressure mounted on Israel, with Pope Leo XIV and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas denouncing the ban. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, considered one of Christianity’s holiest sites, had been closed to worshippers since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Pizzaballa’s access to the church is expected to be restored, allowing him to hold services as he wishes.
