Latin patriarch celebrates Easter mass in largely empty Holy Sepulchre church

Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa celebrates Easter mass at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Footage disseminated by the Patriarchate Press Office shows Pizzaballa presiding over the rituals with several clergy, but without the large crowds normally present for Easter rites.

On March 29, Israeli police prevented Pizzaballa and another priest from entering the church for a private mass on the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday, stating that all holy sites in the Old City were closed for security reasons. The move sparked outrage and Israeli authorities eventually agreed to allow Christian clergy to celebrate the Holy Week rituals without the public.

Several worshippers tried to make their way to the Holy Sepulchre, but were kept at a distance by security forces enforcing IDF regulations, according to AFP.

“How can you tell me I cannot go to church, it is unacceptable,” one Catholic from Tel Aviv told AFP.

While the Old City usually bustles during Easter and Passover, with pilgrims and tourists flocking to its alleys and visiting both Christian holy sites and the Western Wall, the area has been largely empty today due to the war with Iran.

While preparing to attend the mass, Father Bernard Poggi laments the situation, telling AFP that while he understands security needs, “it seems to be more and more that there’s an unevenness in how the laws are put into practice.”

Earlier today, the Passover priestly blessing ceremony was held in a covered area by the Western Wall with a few dozen people, instead of the usual tens of thousands.