Israeli police on Sunday prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to lead Palm Sunday celebrations, marking a rare and controversial disruption of one of Christianity’s most sacred observances.

According to church authorities, the Latin Patriarch and other senior clergy were stopped while on their way to the church, where they had planned to hold a Palm Sunday Mass to usher in Holy Week. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem described the incident as unprecedented, saying it was the first time in centuries that church leaders had been prevented from conducting the ceremony at the historic site.

Israeli police defended the move, citing heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing regional conflict involving Israel and Iran. Authorities said the Old City of Jerusalem and its holy sites had been closed due to risks posed by large gatherings and limited emergency access in the area.

Palm Sunday traditionally draws large numbers of Christian worshippers to Jerusalem, commemorating the biblical account of Jesus’ entry into the city. However, this year’s observances have been significantly curtailed, with restrictions also affecting Muslim and Jewish religious activities during Ramadan and the upcoming Passover period.

The decision has sparked international backlash, with several countries and religious leaders condemning the move as a violation of religious freedom. Critics argue that even a planned private, closed-door service was denied without sufficient justification, raising concerns about access to holy sites amid the conflict.

Church officials warned that the incident risks deepening tensions and undermining the long-standing status quo governing religious practices in Jerusalem’s Old City, a city revered by Christians, Muslims, and Jews alike.

The development comes as the broader Middle East conflict continues to disrupt daily life and religious traditions across the region, casting a shadow over one of the most significant periods in the Christian calendar.