Poland Condemns Israel’s Blocking of Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem
“We strongly condemn the Israeli police’s prevention of the Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballi, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass on Palm Sunday,” Poland’s Foreign Ministry said on US social media company X.
The ministry emphasized that unrestricted access to holy sites of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity forms “the foundation of interfaith harmony and the basis for their coexistence in the Holy Land.” It added, “We hope that security protocols will be established to allow for the celebration of services during Holy Week, a time of such special significance for Christians around the world.”
President Karol Nawrocki also voiced his objections on Sunday, writing on X: “The actions of the Israeli police, which I condemn, are an expression of disrespect for Christian tradition and culture.”
According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Pizzaballa and Father Francesco Ielpo were stopped while traveling privately to the church and “compelled to turn back,” marking the first time in centuries that church leaders were blocked from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s most sacred sites.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities continue to bar Muslim worshippers from attending Friday prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, for the fourth consecutive week. The mosque has remained closed since late February under emergency measures related to the conflict with Iran.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
