The Vatican has formally conveyed its displeasure to the State of Israel following the incident that occurred last Palm Sunday, when Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from accessing the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The complaint was directly communicated by Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the Israeli ambassador to the Holy See, Yaron Sideman, in a meeting held in Rome.
According to Corriere della Sera, the meeting had a clearly diplomatic character and served to address an episode that in the Vatican has been considered particularly serious for affecting freedom of worship in one of the most sacred places of Christianity.
Parolin demands explanations from the Israeli ambassador
Following the meeting, the Holy See issued an official note in which it described what happened as an “unpleasant episode” and expressed its “regret” for the actions of the Israeli authorities.
In the meeting, which also included Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, the Vatican noted that it has not received satisfactory clarifications about the facts.
The incident affected both Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo, Custodian of the Holy Land, who were prevented from accessing the Holy Sepulchre at the very start of Holy Week.
The Vatican takes note of an agreement for the Triduum
During the meeting, the Holy See also took note of the understanding reached between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the local authorities regarding participation in the liturgies of the Holy Triduum in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
This agreement could prevent new incidents during the central days of Holy Week, although it does not dispel the displeasure generated by what happened on Palm Sunday.