Adeeb Joudeh thanked Pope Francis for solving the issue of the forbidden entry of the Latin Patriarch to the Holy Sepulchre
The Custodian of the Keys of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre extends his deep gratitude and appreciation to His Holiness Pope
Pope Leo XIV, Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and Head of the Vatican City State,
for his personal and swift intervention in containing the crisis that arose following the prevention of His Beatitude the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,
from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This intervention had a significant impact in correcting the situation and restoring الأمور to their proper course, in a manner that preserves the dignity of the holy places and ensures freedom of worship.
Special thanks are also extended to international leaders and officials who played a prominent role in this intervention, foremost among them:
• Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic
• Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic
We also commend the positions of other international and European figures who contributed to resolving the situation, including:
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
• Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
• Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany
• Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
We further note the positions of condemnation and concern expressed by several countries and international bodies, foremost among them:
• European Union, the political and economic union of European states
• United Nations, the international organization responsible for maintaining international peace and security
• Holy See, the supreme ecclesiastical authority of the Catholic Church
In addition to a number of friendly nations and churches worldwide that expressed their rejection of any infringement on freedom of worship or on the historic and legal Status Quo in Jerusalem.
This international solidarity reflects the spiritual and human significance of Jerusalem, and underscores the necessity of respecting the established Status Quo at the holy places, and ensuring unimpeded access for worshippers and clergy.
