Italy summons Israeli ambassador after Holy Sepulchre Palm Sunday incident

ROME, March 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Italy formally protested to Israel on Sunday after Jerusalem police prevented top Catholic officials from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Italy’s ambassador to Israel to convey the protest and reaffirm Italy’s commitment to protecting religious freedom “at all times and under all circumstances.”

Tajani also summoned Israel’s ambassador to Italy for talks on Monday at the foreign ministry to seek clarification over the decision.

“It is unacceptable that they were prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem,” Tajani said in a statement posted on X.

He said Israeli police had, for the first time, denied leaders of the Catholic Church the opportunity to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at one of Christianity’s holiest sites.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the incident as an “offense” to believers.