Jerusalem, March 29 -- The Israeli Police on Sunday prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, along with the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr Francesco Ielpo, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday mass.

According to an official release jointly issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land, the two religious leaders were stopped en route while travelling privately, without any form of procession or ceremonial observance, and were forced to turn back. The release noted that, as a result, the Heads of the Church were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the site for the first time in centuries.

"This morning, the Israeli Police...