Jerusalem: Israeli police have barred Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct a private Palm Sunday Mass, marking the first such occurrence in centuries and sparking criticism from global leaders, including those from the United States.

According to France24.com, the major holy sites in Jerusalem, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, have been closed due to ongoing missile threats from Iran, as the city remains under frequent fire. Despite this, Israeli police announced on Monday that they had approved a limited prayer framework for the church, coordinating with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The decision to restrict entry was criticized by the Patriarchate as an unreasonable action that infringes on freedom of worship. The restriction prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, and the Custos of the Holy Land from celebrating the event at the historically significant site. The police justified their actions citing safety concerns and difficulties in accessing the church via the narrow alleys of the Old City in case of an emergency.

The Latin Patriarchate pointed out that private Masses had been held at the church since the Iran war commenced, questioning the rationale behind the sudden denial. Farid Jubran, the spokesperson for the Patriarchate, emphasized the sacredness of Palm Sunday and criticized the decision as unjustified.

The traditional Palm Sunday procession, which typically attracts thousands of Christians, was previously canceled due to safety concerns, and Masses have been limited to fewer than 50 attendees. Cardinal Pizzaballa instead held Mass at St. Saviors Monastery and later led a prayer for peace elsewhere, avoiding any mention of the morning's incident.

The incident drew international condemnation, with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee describing it as an unfortunate overreach. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian authorities also criticized the actions, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom in Jerusalem. The Italian government has formally protested, and Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the incident as an affront to religious freedom.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the decision was based on safety concerns and assured that steps are being taken to allow church leaders to access the site in the upcoming days. The restrictions at other religious sites in the city and across Israel remain in place due to ongoing threats, with measures being implemented to allow limited worship under strict safety protocols.