“A Grave Precedent” — Israel Bars Cardinal Pizzaballa from Palm Sunday Mass at the Holy Sepulchre

For the first time in centuries, the head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land was physically prevented from entering Christianity's holiest site. The Vatican has condemned the action.

In a stunning violation of religious liberty, Israeli police blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday morning.

The Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo — the official guardian of the church — was turne…