The White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt has responded following the incident where Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, was prevented by police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday.
The White House also addressed remarks made by Pope Leo on Sunday, who stated that God disregards the prayers of leaders who engage in warfare and possess ‘hands full of blood’.
During a press briefing at the White House on Monday, Levitt was questioned regarding Cardinal Pizzaballa’s obstruction from entering the Church and the Pope’s comments aimed at US President Donald Trump concerning the conflict in Iran.
Although Cardinal Pizzaballa was unable to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass, all sacred sites in Jerusalem’s Old City are presently closed.
She mentioned that the US has “expressed our concerns to Israel regarding the closure of these holy sites.
“We desire for worshippers to have access to these sacred locations. Naturally, safety remains a primary concern, but we recognize that Israel is implementing security measures to reopen the sites during Holy Week, and we appreciate that effort.”
Regarding the remarks made by Pope Leo on Sunday, she further stated, “Our nation was founded nearly 250 years ago on Judeo-Christian principles, and we have witnessed presidents, leaders from the Department of War, and our troops turn to prayer during the most challenging periods in our nation’s history.
“I believe there is nothing inappropriate about our military leaders or the president urging the American populace to pray for our service members and those serving our country abroad.”