JERUSALEM — Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday. The incident marked the first time in centuries that Palm Sunday Mass could not be celebrated at the church, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Cardinal Pizzaballa attempted to travel to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the Rev. Francesco Ielpo to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Latin Patriarchate said Pizzaballa and Ielpo were proceeding privately without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act and had to turn back.

The Prime Minister's office said police intervened to block Pizzaballa out of special concern for his safety. The office said there was no malicious intent in the police action.

Israeli police said they received a request from Pizzaballa that could not be approved because of the restrictions. Israeli police said, "Freedom of worship will continue to be upheld, subject to necessary restrictions."

Israel imposed a ban on large gatherings. The formal Palm Sunday procession was canceled last week in line with the ban. Israeli officials limited public gatherings to around 50 people.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with Pizzaballa, Ielpo and others whom Israeli authorities prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Holy Sepulchre. Meloni said, "Denying entry to the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land, especially on a solemnity central to the faith such as Palm Sunday, constitutes an offense not only against believers but against every community that recognizes religious freedom."

French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident "joins a worrying series of violations of the status of the holy sites in Jerusalem." Pope Leo XIV said, "My prayers are more than ever with the Christians of the Middle East."

The Jordanian foreign ministry said the incident was a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as the prevailing legal and historical status quo, and an infringement on the unrestricted freedom of access to places of worship.

Netanyahu's office said it would put together a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the holy site in the coming days. Netanyahu's office noted that all holy sites in the Old City were closed to worshippers when the war with Iran broke out in February.

Israeli police said all holy sites in Jerusalem have been closed since the start of the war in Iran. Ceremonies were held in other churches with limits on attendance.