Israeli police this morning prevented Cardinal  Pierbattista Pizzaballa , Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father  Francesco Ielpo , Custos of the Holy Land, from entering the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre as they were heading to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.

According to a joint statement issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land, both church leaders were traveling privately, without any procession or ceremonial event. Nevertheless, they were stopped en route and forced to turn back.

Church authorities describe the measure as “manifestly unreasonable and gravely disproportionate,” as well as “hasty and fundamentally wrong, tainted by improper considerations.” The statement emphasizes that this is “the first time in centuries” that the highest-ranking officials of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land have been prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the basilica that houses the site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“This decision represents a serious departure from the fundamental principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the  status quo ,” the statement reads. The signatories consider the ban to be “a dangerous precedent” that ignores “the feelings of billions of people around the world who, during this Holy Week, look to Jerusalem.”

The statement recalls that, throughout the conflict in the Middle East, church leaders have acted with “full responsibility,” respecting all the regulations and restrictions imposed by the authorities. Public gatherings have been canceled, in-person attendance has been limited, and services have been broadcast to reach hundreds of millions of the faithful.

“The heads of the Churches express their deep regret to the Christian faithful in the Holy Land and throughout the world that prayer on one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar has been thus prevented,” the text adds.

In a previous statement from the Patriarchate, Cardinal Pizzaballa had noted that “to the hardship of this time of war, which affects us all, is added today the inability to celebrate Easter together in a dignified manner. A wound” that adds “to so many others inflicted by the conflict.” However, he emphasized that “no darkness, not even that of war, can have the last word.”

On Palm Sunday afternoon, Cardinal Pizzaballa will lead a prayer service for peace at the Shrine of Dominus Flevit on the Mount of Olives. Following the service, he will impart his blessing over the Holy City. Due to ongoing war restrictions, the press will not be permitted to attend, although a Reuters news team will be providing coverage.

Days earlier, the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem had already been cancelled due to security concerns related to the conflict.