Israel blocks top Catholic leaders from Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Sepulchre

Israeli forces blocked two senior Catholic leaders from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch, and Father Francesco Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land, were stopped en route to the church.

The leaders had attempted to enter privately without any ceremonial procession or public gathering, but were refused access.

The church bodies said this was the first time in centuries that the heads of the Catholic Church had been prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Holy Sepulchre.

“This incident is a grave precedent, and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem,” they said.

Italy summoned Israel's ambassador over the incident as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the move was "an offence to the faithful".

Israeli authorities have closed Al-Aqsa Mosque and Christian churches in the Old City of East Jerusalem since launching the assault against Iran last month.

Police cited safety concerns, a justification rejected by Palestinians, who say the closures are intended to tighten control over the occupied city.

The church bodies said they had acted responsibly, complying with all restrictions for over a month, including cancelling public gatherings and prohibiting attendance during Easter, when “hundreds of millions of faithful worldwide… turn their eyes to Jerusalem and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre”.

“Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos, who bear the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places, constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,” they added.

They criticised the decision as “tainted by improper considerations” and “an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo”.

The Status Quo refers to a set of long-standing, internationally recognised arrangements that guarantee Christian authority over churches in Jerusalem and Muslim authority over Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israel has for decades violated the status quo in favour of increased Jewish presence in the city.