politics
March 30, 2026
Netanyahu grants Latin patriarch access to Holy Sepulchre
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has granted Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa “full and immediate access” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, hours after he was blocked by Israeli police from accessing the holy site for Palm Sunday services.
TL;DR
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was initially blocked from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday services.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu granted Pizzaballa full and immediate access hours later.
- Netanyahu cited Iranian missile strikes targeting holy sites in Jerusalem as the reason for temporary restrictions.
- One missile reportedly landed meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
- Israel had asked members of all faiths to temporarily abstain from worshipping at holy sites to ensure safety.
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