Italy summoned Israel's ambassador over the ban on a cardinal celebrating Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador in Rome after Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Tajani wrote about this on social media, according to ANSA.
According to ANSA, Cardinal Pizzaballa and monk Francesco Ielpo were stopped on their way to the church and told that all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City were closed to worshippers due to the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran, particularly those without bomb shelters. The Patriarchate’s request to hold Mass was denied.
The Latin Patriarchate had previously canceled the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, but believes that the ban should not have included barring the cardinal from entering the church.
Minister Tajani called the Israeli police’s actions “unacceptable.”
“For the first time, the Israeli police denied Catholic Church leaders the opportunity to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at one of the holiest sites for millions of believers around the world. I immediately instructed our ambassador to Israel to lodge a protest with the government in Tel Aviv and to reaffirm Italy’s position on the protection of religious freedom under any circumstances and at any time,” he noted.
French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned Israel’s decision, expressing support for the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Christians who were not allowed to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.
Recently, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador following reports of the execution of a Swedish citizen.
