After closures at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall and Al-Aqsa Mosque have all taken place in the city of Jerusalem due to the conflict with Iran, Christianity, Judaism and Islam each faced obstacles for religious celebrations. Now, the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Holy Week has caused quite a stir.
According to NBC News, Israeli police kept the church’s Latin patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the church.
The report noted that Pizzaballa traveled with Rev. Francesco Ielpo to celebrate Palm Sunday. However, the two were barred from entering, which made the “first time in centuries” when a Palm Sunday service was able to be celebrated in the church.
In response to this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to X, where he shared that Pizzaballa is to be given “full and immediate access” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
I have instructed the relevant authorities that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, be granted full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Over the past several days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three monotheistic religions in Jerusalem with ballistic missiles. In one strike, missile fragments crashed meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
To protect worshippers, Israel asked members of all faiths to temporarily abstain from worshipping at the Christian, Muslim and Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Netanyahu also noted that it was out of concern for safety that Pizzaballa was asked not to hold mass inside the church.
Today, out of special concern for his safety, Cardinal Pizzaballa was asked to refrain from holding mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Even though I understand this concern, as soon as I learned about the incident with Cardinal Pizzaballa, I instructed the authorities to enable the Patriarch to hold services as he wishes.
I have instructed the relevant authorities that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, be granted full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 29, 2026
Over the past several days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three…
Even in moments like this—when access is restricted, worship is halted and fear hangs over the streets—Jesus’ words come sharply into focus. In the Gospel of Luke 21, He warned that Jerusalem would be surrounded, distressed and “trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” What we are witnessing is not just a geopolitical flashpoint, but a spiritual signpost.
A city sacred to three faiths now finds itself under pressure, with worship disrupted during one of the holiest weeks of the year. It is a sobering reminder that Jerusalem, throughout history and prophecy alike, remains at the center of both earthly conflict and divine unfolding.
That same thread continues in the book of Revelation, where the apostle John describes a future moment when the holy city will again be “trampled by the nations” for a set time (Rev. 11:2). The parallels are striking—a city contested, access restricted and the weight of global tension pressing in. Yet Revelation does not end in trampling, but in triumph. The very city that is shaken will become the place where Christ reigns in fullness.
Until then, believers are called to watch, discern and pray with urgency—for the peace of Jerusalem, for those longing to worship freely and for hearts to turn to the Messiah.
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Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
