What happened at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

Israeli police blocked Cardinal Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday.

Israeli police generated headlines around the world when they blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s headquarters on Jan. 20, 2026. © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.

But 24 hours later, after a flurry of diplomatic activity, th…