Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday for Palm Sunday Mass.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem described the incident as "the first time in centuries" that heads of the church were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the sacred site. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of Christianity's most important locations, believed to be the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

Cardinal Pizzaballa serves as the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, making him the senior Catholic official in the Holy Land. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar, commemorating Jesus's entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion.

The incident has drawn international attention, with world leaders expressing concern over the prevention of religious observances at the holy site. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in Jerusalem's Old City and is shared by multiple Christian denominations.

Neither Israeli authorities nor the Latin Patriarchate immediately provided detailed explanations for the circumstances that led to the cardinal being blocked from entering the church for the religious ceremony.