During Holy Week, Catholics celebrate Mass at Holy Sepulchre without believers

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Photo: lpj.org

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa celebrated the Mass of "the Lord's Supper" at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on April 2, 2026. As reported by the press service of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, the service was held without the participation of believers.

Cardinal Pizzaballa, accompanied by a small group of Catholic priests, was granted permission to conduct the service on Holy Thursday of Holy Week.

"Due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and for their own safety because of the ongoing conflict with Iran, believers were not allowed to be present at the place where our Lord rose from the dead," the statement said.

In his sermon, the Catholic hierarch noted: "We cannot ignore the tension: outside, the doors of the Holy Sepulchre are closed. War has turned this place into a refuge, an 'interior' cut off from the 'exterior,' burdened with fear and tension."

As the UOJ wrote, after EU pressure, Netanyahu gave instructions to allow the RCC into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

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