The Vatican says that top officials met with Israel’s ambassador following an attempt to stop the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday.
Following the incident, which drew international criticism, Israeli authorities and Catholic leaders reached an agreement to allow prayer at the Christian holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem for Holy Week, which culminates with Easter on Sunday.
Vatican second-in-command Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and its top diplomat, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, meet with Ambassador Yaron Sideman.
“Regrets were expressed regarding this incident, concerning which clarifications were provided,” the Vatican says.
On Sunday, Israel Police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch, from entering the church, citing security concerns amid the war with Iran. Pizzaballa described the incident as a “grave precedent” that disregards the sensibilities of Christians worldwide.
After the backlash, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Latin Patriarch would get “full and immediate access.”
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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