Israeli police blocked Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to lead Palm Sunday Mass.
Despite prior coordination with authorities, he was forced to turn back and hold the service elsewhere in Jerusalem.
Church officials say this marks the first time in centuries that the Palm Sunday Mass was not held at the historic site, breaking longstanding arrangements.
The Latin Patriarchate issued a rare and strongly worded protest, calling the move a violation of the status quo in Jerusalem.
Festivities across the occupied Palestinian territories had already been curtailed due to the war and restrictions on public gatherings.
The police fall under far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is known for hardline views on religious access.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the incident, calling it “an offence not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom”.
The development has raised wider concerns over religious freedom and access to holy sites in Jerusalem.

Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh reports from Ramallah.

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