Israeli police prevented senior Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, according to a joint statement by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land.

The statement said that Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Franciscan Custos Francesco Ielpo were attempting to enter the church privately, without any procession or large gathering, when they were stopped by police and forced to turn back. Church officials described the incident as unprecedented, noting it was the first time in centuries that the head of Catholics in the Holy Land was unable to conduct worship at the site on the eve of Easter.

Church authorities condemned the actions as “clearly unjustified and disproportionate,” arguing they violated principles of religious freedom and the long-standing “status quo” arrangement governing access and worship at Jerusalem’s holy sites.

As a result of the restrictions, the Palm Sunday service was relocated to the Basilica of the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Cardinal Pizzaballa led prayers for peace. In his homily, he said the Holy Land is enduring a time of suffering and conflict, urging believers to maintain hope despite disruptions to traditional religious practices.

The situation has drawn international attention. French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish President Karol Nawrocki criticized the actions of Israeli authorities, calling restrictions on religious worship in Jerusalem unacceptable. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Catholic bishops were not allowed into the church for security reasons. "However, given the start of Holy Week for Christians around the world, Israeli security forces have developed a plan to allow religious leaders to pray at the Church of the Resurrection in the coming days," the statement said.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is considered Christianity’s holiest site, traditionally believed to be the location of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is shared by multiple Christian denominations—Orthodox, Catholic, and Armenian—under a strict historical agreement regulating worship.

Access to Old City of Jerusalem is currently heavily restricted amid heightened security concerns linked to ongoing conflict. Authorities have closed the area to pilgrims and tourists, imposing strict controls that affect holy sites of all three Abrahamic religions.

Key Holy Week events, including the traditional Holy Fire ceremony, may also be held in a limited format this year. Christian leaders in Jerusalem, including Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, have appealed to Israeli authorities to ensure access to holy sites during Easter and preserve longstanding religious traditions.