The Italian Government has shown its support for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Father Francesco Ielpo after Israeli authorities prevented them from accessing the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, in an incident that has generated a wide institutional reaction.
Italy denounces a violation of religious freedom
In an official statement, the Italian Executive has described what happened as “an offense” that transcends believers and affects the entire international community that defends freedom of worship.
The Government has recalled that the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most sacred places of Christianity and has stressed that its access must be guaranteed for the celebration of religious rites, especially on key dates such as Holy Week.
An unprecedented episode in centuries
The Italian authorities have thus reacted to the complaint of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which has assured that, for the first time in centuries, the highest leaders of the Catholic Church could not officiate the Palm Sunday mass in this temple.
The Patriarchate has indicated that both Cardinal Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Custodian of the Holy Land were intercepted by the Israeli Police and forced to abandon their route towards the place of worship.
International concern in the midst of Holy Week
The incident has intensified concern in different diplomatic and religious spheres, as it occurred in one of the most significant moments of the Christian calendar and in a context of growing tension in the region.
Italy has insisted that guaranteeing access to holy places is an issue that goes beyond the religious sphere, by being directly linked with the fundamental principles of freedom and respect among communities.