After reportedly blocking a Catholic cardinal from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday service, Israeli police agreed to let church leaders perform mass at the holy site – but are still restricting worshipers amid wartime restrictions.

The Israel Police allegedly blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Fr. Francesco Ielpo, the Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, from entering the church for Palm Sunday service on March 29. 

After Israeli President Isaac Herzog intervened, they reached an agreement on March 30 to continue holding ceremonies through Easter, which Israel Police called “symbolic” and “limited.” 

“Access for representatives of the Churches has been secured in order to conduct the liturgies and ceremonies and to preserve the ancient Easter traditions at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” reads a release from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. “Naturally, and in light of the current state of war, the existing restrictions on public gatherings remain in force for the time being.” 

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre lies in the northwest quarter of Jerusalem, according to Britannica. Many Christians – including Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions – believe the church sits on the historic site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and burial. 

Catholic Leaders Express Sorrow After Police Turn Back Patriarch

While on their way to the church, Israeli police stopped Pizzaballa and Ielpo, according to the release.

“The two were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back,” the release reads. 

For the first time in hundreds of years, the Catholic leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the church. 

“This incident is a grave precedent, and disregard [sic] the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem,” the release reads. “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.”

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Since the beginning of the Iran war, the Catholic leaders complied with all the nation’s restrictions – cancelling public gatherings, banning attendance, and broadcasting celebrations to Christians across the world. 

“The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land express their profound sorrow to the Christian faithful in the Holy Land and throughout the world that prayer on one of the most sacred days of the Christian calendar has thus been prevented,” the release reads.

Israeli officials initially decided to close holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City to protect human life, according to a press release from Israel Police.

“In the past two weeks, several missile and interception debris impacts have occurred near and within some of the holy sites. The danger is real, present, and immediate,” Israel police officials said in the release. “The primary objective shared by all parties, the police and religious leaders alike, is above all, the protection of human life.”

Huckabee and Cruz Criticize Israel Over Palm Sunday Ban

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, as well as Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas, often support Israel – but criticized the nation after police blocked Catholic clerics from celebrating Palm Sunday.

“Statements from the Gov’t of Israel indicate the action to prohibit Cardinal Pizzaballa entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher were for safety reasons, but churches, synagogues, and mosques throughout Jerusalem have met with the restrictions of 50 or less,” Huckabee wrote on X. “For the Patriarch to be barred from entry to the Church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify.”

Cruz replied to Huckabee, echoing his concerns.

“This was a mistake by the Israeli police. The security concerns are real, but they should not have prevented the Patriarch from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to conduct the Palm Sunday blessing,” Cruz wrote. “I trust this mistake will be corrected quickly.”

Easter Gatherings Restricted Due to Security Concerns

Israel Police met with Pizzaballa the morning of March 30, and agreed to allow traditional ceremonies in a “symbolic and limited format.”

“There was broad agreement during the meeting regarding the unique security situation this year, and that current conditions do not allow for large-scale gatherings,” Israel police officials wrote in the release.

Throughout Holy Week and Easter, Catholic officials will continue to broadcast the liturgy and prayers for Christians in Israel and around the world, according to a release from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. They thanked Herzog and other “heads of state and officials who acted swiftly to convey their firm positions” to secure a deal.

“We wish to emphasize that religious faith constitutes a supreme human value, shared by all religions, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, and others,” Catholic officials wrote.

“Especially in times of hardship and conflict, such as those presently endured, safeguarding the freedom of worship remains a fundamental and shared duty.”