Macron Denounces Israeli Ban on Latin Patriarch at Holy Sepulchre

2026-03-31 05:15:13

(MENAFN) French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday criticized Israel’s decision to prevent the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, a key ceremony in the Christian calendar.

“I condemn this decision by the Israeli police, which adds to the worrying increase in violations of the status of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites,” Macron wrote on X.

Expressing support for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, Macron added: “The free exercise of worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all religions.”

According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Pizzaballa and the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, were stopped while on a private visit to the church and “compelled to turn back.”

The patriarchate noted that this marked the first time in centuries that church leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday—the opening of Holy Week—at the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s most sacred sites.

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