Israeli Police Block Catholic Cardinal from Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday.

Israeli police blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, citing security concerns due to the ongoing Iran war. This marks the first time in centuries that church leaders were prevented from conducting Palm Sunday rites at the revered site. The decision sparked outrage from church authorities and international leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron, who condemned the action as an offense to religious freedom. 

The Israeli government claimed the restriction was due to safety concerns, as the Old City has been targeted by missile attacks, and emergency response capabilities are limited. However, the Latin Patriarchate argued that the decision was "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate," especially since the cardinal and other clergy were traveling privately and not as part of a procession.