Agreement Reached for Holy Week Services at Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Israeli police and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the highest-ranking Catholic in the Holy Land, announced on Monday that they have come to an agreement allowing Catholic services to proceed at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during Holy Week.

Earlier, Israeli authorities had prohibited Cardinal Pizzaballa from celebrating Mass on Palm Sunday—the first day of Holy Week that marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Since February, a ban has been placed on mass religious ceremonies at various holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, a response to missile attacks from Iran, which has long been in conflict with Israel and the United States. While group events were restricted, Pizzaballa and another priest, Francesco Hierpo, planned to hold a mass intended for broadcast without an audience to comply with these restrictions. The Vatican and many Christians around the world criticized the ban on the ceremony.

By late Sunday, Israeli authorities announced they would meet with Cardinal Pizzaballa and other officials to ensure that other Holy Week events could occur safely. On Monday, a photo was released showing a police officer shaking hands with a smiling Pizzaballa, confirming that Holy Week services would go ahead, albeit without spectators.

“Following productive discussions between Israeli Police and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of the Latin Catholic Church, a framework has been established for future Easter celebrations,” the Israeli police stated. “Due to the ongoing security situation of Operation Roaring Lion, ceremonies related to the Sacred Fire will be conducted in a symbolic and limited manner.”

Authorities emphasized that these adjustments are meant to maintain religious freedom while ensuring safety. “Recent weeks have seen Iranian missiles and debris impacting the Old City, making these precautionary measures necessary to protect worshippers,” they explained.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the agreement, stating that issues around Holy Week and Easter celebrations were successfully addressed in coordination with relevant authorities. “Access has been secured for Church representatives to perform liturgies and maintain ancient Easter traditions,” they noted.

“Defending religious freedom is a fundamental obligation, especially during challenging times like these,” the statement concluded.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his support for the agreement on Monday, underlining the government’s commitment to religious freedom.

“We reaffirm the state of Israel’s steadfast dedication to religious freedom for all faiths and the importance of maintaining the status quo at holy sites in Jerusalem,” Herzog stated. “On behalf of Israel, I wish the Latin Patriarch, as well as our Christian sisters and brothers in the Holy Land and around the globe, a joyous Easter.”

Earlier, the Latin Patriarchate had accused Israeli police of forcing attendees away from a procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, making it impossible to hold the traditional Palm Sunday Mass. They released a statement expressing strong discontent and calling the police’s actions “unreasonable and grossly disproportionate.” Leaders from Christian-majority nations, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, voiced their concerns regarding the situation.

Meloni remarked, “The Holy Sepulcher is sacred to Christians.” She added, “Denying access to the Patriarch of Jerusalem during pivotal religious events is not just an affront to believers, but to all who value religious freedom.”

The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also expressed disapproval, labeling the situation an “unfortunate overreach,” specifically criticizing Pizzaballa’s choice to celebrate Mass with only a few people present.

Cardinal Pizzaballa conducted a service in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is believed to have faced anguish before his crucifixion. In his meditation, he reflected on the ongoing suffering in Jerusalem.

“Today, Jesus weeps again for Jerusalem—a place touched by hope and sorrow. Still, it struggles to find peace,” he noted, voicing his hopes for an end to the conflict.