Cardinal Pizzaballa says ongoing Middle East conflict stopping regular celebration of Holy Week in Jerusalem

As the Church approaches Easter, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem says the “harshness of this time of war” means the celebration of the season will not be able to be celebrated “with dignity.”

Holy sites across Jerusalem’s Old City, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, remained closed under Israeli security restrictions as the war on Iran, launched by the United States and Israel, enters its fourth week.

A strike from Iran hit near Jerusalem’s holiest church on Friday, damaging areas belonging to Christians.

Due to the war, this year we were unable to experience the traditional Lenten journey in Jerusalem, with the solemn celebrations at the Holy Sepulcher and in the Holy Places of the Passion,” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, in a statement on Sunday.

“Though we were able to pray and prepare personally, we felt the loss of the community journey towards Easter. Now we ask ourselves about the celebrations of Holy Week, the beating heart of our faith, in Jerusalem and at the Holy Sepulcher,” he said.

There are just over 160,000 Catholics in the patriarchate, which includes Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus. However, it also cares for the thousands of