Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, was prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to officiate Palm Sunday mass. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that this is the first time in centuries that religious leaders have been prevented from celebrating mass in this sacred place. Officers stopped Pizzaballa along with the Custos of the Holy Land, Francesco Ielpo, as they were on their way to the Holy Sepulchre. The situation arises amid the war between Israel and the United States with Iran, which has led Israeli authorities to keep several holy sites in Jerusalem closed.

In addition to preventing entry to the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives was suspended. This was due to restrictions imposed by Israel that limit gatherings to less than 50 people. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem described the decision as a "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate" measure, which deviates from the principles of freedom of worship. The institution had already taken previous measures, such as canceling public meetings and preparing for the telematic retransmission of Holy Week celebrations.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land expressed their deep sorrow to the Christian faithful of the Holy Land and the world. They regretted that prayer had been prevented on one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar. The Patriarchate's statement highlighted the disregard for the sensitivity of billions of people around the world, who have their eyes on Jerusalem during Holy Week.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned what happened, calling it an offense to believers and religious freedom. The Italian government presented a formal protest to the Israeli government. French President Emmanuel Macron also joined the condemnation, offering his support to the Christians of the Holy Land. Macron denounced the decision of the Israeli police and demanded guarantees for freedom of worship in Jerusalem for all religions.

Jordan rejected what happened, calling it a flagrant violation of international law and the status quo. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the actions of the police, arguing security reasons in the context of the war against Iran. Netanyahu announced that the Israeli government is planning how to allow the Christian community to celebrate Holy Week in Jerusalem. Netanyahu explained that these measures were taken after Iran "attacked holy sites with missiles".