The Catholic Church and Israeli police have reached an agreement regarding the celebration of Holy Week at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Following a dispute over access to the church, the Latin Patriarchate announced that permission has been secured for Mass to be held during Holy Week. However, due to wartime restrictions limiting gatherings to 50 people, the liturgies will not be open to the public.
The disagreement began when Israeli police barred Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Custos of the Holy Land from accessing the church on Sunday, citing security and safety concerns after rocket debris landed near the site.
President Isaac Herzog intervened in the discussions between the police and Church officials, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later ordered authorities to grant Cardinal Pizzaballa full access to the church.
The incident drew international criticism, with leaders such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German lawmaker Armin Laschet, and the Greek Foreign Ministry expressing their disapproval. The Spanish government also summoned Israel's chargé d'affaires in Madrid, warning that such incidents must not happen again.
The intervention of President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the dispute between the Israeli police and the Catholic Church highlights the delicate balance between security concerns and freedom of worship in the region. The agreement reached allows the Church to celebrate Holy Week rites at the historic site, but also underscores the limitations imposed by wartime restrictions. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions in the region and the need for careful management of these competing interests.
