Greece’s Foreign Ministry on Monday voiced dismay after Catholic leaders were prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday, urging respect for longstanding religious arrangements at the site.Greece’s Foreign Ministry on Monday voiced dismay after Catholic leaders were prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday, urging respect for longstanding religious arrangements at the site. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the ministry expressed its “deep concern” after the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem had been barred from entering the church, stressing that the centuries-old “Status Quo” governing holy sites must be “fully respected by all and in good faith,” particularly ahead of Easter. The ministry also voiced “solidarity and unwavering support” for Christian churches in Jerusalem. The statement followed an incident Sunday in which Israeli police blocked senior Catholic clergy, including Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from accessing the church for a private Palm Sunday Mass. Authorities cited security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran and restrictions in Jerusalem’s Old City. The move drew criticism from several countries, including the United States, France and Italy, which raised concerns over restrictions on freedom of worship. Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week for Christians leading up to Easter, one of the most important religious observances of the year. On Monday morning, Israel’s police said it had approved a “limited prayer framework” for the church, in consultation with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
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