The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass for the "first time in centuries" after being turned away by Israeli police.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem denounced a "grave precedent", in which both Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Custos of the Holy Land Father Francesco Ielpo were turned away by authorities.

The incident "disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world," the statement read. It said the two were stopped while proceeding privately without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and had to turn back.

"For the first time in centuries, church leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," the statement read.

The Israeli government subsequently released a statement saying that it had issued instructions for all holy sites of all religions that mass gatherings would not be possible due to the risk of Iranian airstrikes landing in the area.

Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran sparked the Iran war on 28 February, Israeli authorities have banned large gatherings, including at synagogues, churches and mosques.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog later repeated the government's explanation that its approach to the situation "stemmed from security concerns". Herzog added however that he had spoken to Cardinal Pizzaballa to express his "great sorrow over this morning's unfortunate incident" and that Israel is committed to "upholding the status quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem".

European leaders react

The incident sparked outrage across Europe and the Catholic world.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas denounced it as a "violation of religious freedom and long-standing protections governing holy sites".

"Freedom of worship in Jerusalem must be fully guaranteed, without exception, for all faiths. Jerusalem's multi-religious character must be protected," she added in a social media post.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the Israeli police's actions, saying the incident was "an offence not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom".

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani separately said on X he had summoned Israel's ambassador over the incident.

French President Emmanuel Macron called it "alarming" and offered his full support to the Catholic figures. "I condemn this decision by the Israeli police, which adds to the alarming proliferation of violations of the status quo of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites," he wrote in a post on X.

Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week for Christians, marks Christ's final entry into Jerusalem, days before his crucifixion and resurrection, according to the Gospels.

Public gatherings, as per Israeli restrictions, are capped at around 50 people.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land expressed its deep sorrow and apologies to the Christian faithful around the world that the prayer, on one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar, has been prevented in this way.