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Holy Week Tensions Rise as Israel Blocks Cardinal from Entering Sacred Jerusalem Site

  Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, holds a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday, following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, amid restrictions on gathering in large groups, in Jerusalem, March 29, 2026. Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, prompting widespread criticism from Christian leaders and governments worldwide. Authorities cited security concerns linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, noting that all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City had been temporarily closed due to the threat of missile strikes. The Latin Patriarchate condemned the move as an unprecedented disruption of centuries‑old tradition, marking the first time church leaders were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the historic site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that the ...

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U.S. Embassy in Kyiv Closes Amid Warnings of Significant Russian Air Attack

 

In a precautionary move, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed its doors following warnings of a potentially significant Russian air attack. The embassy issued a statement advising employees to shelter in place and recommended that U.S. citizens in Kyiv be prepared to take immediate shelter if an air alert is announced.

This closure comes amid heightened tensions after the U.S. authorized the use of longer-range missiles by Ukraine, which were reportedly used in a recent attack on a Russian weapons warehouse. The Kremlin has responded with threats of retaliation, further escalating the conflict that has already seen frequent missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.

The embassy’s warning is notable for its specificity, as air attacks have become a near-daily occurrence in Ukraine. However, the recent developments have added a new layer of urgency and caution to the situation.


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