ROME, March 29, 2026 (WAFA) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned what she described as an “insult to believers,” referring to the prevention of the Latin Patriarch from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Israeli police. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was accompanied by the Custodian of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, while heading to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass according to the Western calendar.

Meanwhile, the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had summoned the Israeli ambassador in Rome to protest the action.

He expressed solidarity with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custodian of the Holy Land, emphasizing that it is unacceptable to prevent them from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

He added that, for the first time, Israeli police have prevented Catholic Church leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at one of the holiest sites for millions of believers worldwide.

He confirmed that he issued immediate instructions to Italy’s ambassador to Israel to convey the government’s protest to authorities in Tel Aviv and reaffirm Italy’s commitment to protecting freedom of religion at all times.

He also instructed the Foreign Ministry to summon the Israeli ambassador to request clarifications regarding the decision that blocked the Latin Patriarch from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass.

T.R.