Jerusalem: The Latin Patriarchate in Jordan welcomed the reopening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to the faithful during Holy Week, which precedes Easter Sunday for churches following the Gregorian calendar.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Patriarchal Vicar in Amman, Bishop Iyad Twal, stated that Israeli occupation authorities had closed the church and prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, along with Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Lelpo, OFM, from entering it two days prior. He mentioned Pope Leo’s remarks during his Palm Sunday address, highlighting the solidarity in prayer with Christians in the Middle East who are facing challenges in observing holy rituals.
The bishop recognized the Jordanian government’s strong statement supporting believers’ rights to access places of worship in the Holy Land. He also acknowledged the support from international figures, including Italy’s Prime Minister, the French President, Canada, and the European Union, who emphasized the importance of unimpeded access to places of worship.
Bishop Twal reiterated the Patriarchal Vicariate’s commitment to the Hashemite custodianship over Christian and Islamic holy sites. He urged authorities to maintain the status quo at these sites and called for the reopening of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers.