Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the action taken by Israeli police that prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This incident, which Meloni described as an 'insult to believers,' occurred as the Cardinal, accompanied by the Custodian of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, was on his way to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass in accordance with the Western calendar.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani responded by summoning the Israeli ambassador in Rome to lodge a formal protest over the action. Tajani expressed his solidarity with both the Latin Patriarch and the Custodian of the Holy Land. He emphasized that preventing entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, a significant religious site, is unacceptable.
Tajani further remarked that this was the first occasion when Israeli police have obstructed Catholic Church leaders from conducting Palm Sunday Mass at this vital site for millions of believers worldwide. He confirmed that he had instructed Italy's ambassador to Israel to convey the Italian government's protest to officials in Tel Aviv. Additionally, Tajani reaffirmed Italy's commitment to safeguarding freedom of religion at all times.
The Foreign Ministry was also directed to summon the Israeli ambassador to seek explanations regarding the decision that prevented the Latin Patriarch from performing the Palm Sunday Mass.