Israeli police block Catholic figures from Palm Sunday Mass at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre

World leaders have voiced concern after Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday

World leaders have voiced concern after Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday.

Pizzaballa had attempted to travel to the church within Jerusalem’s Old City with the Rev. Francesco Ielpo, the church’s official guardian, to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

It said the two were stopped en route and compelled to turn back, marking “the first time in centuries” that Palm Sunday Mass could not be celebrated at the church, which is the holiest site in Christianity, built where many believe Jesus was crucified.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement that police had intervened to block Pizzaballa "out of special concern for his safety," claiming that "there was no malicious intent whatsoever."

The statement noted that all holy sites in the Old City, which is home to Christian, Muslim and Jewish sacred sites, were closed to worshippers when the war broke out with Iran in February.