Israeli police prevented a Catholic Cardinal from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to have been built over the burial tomb of Jesus Christ. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was traveling with the official guardian of the Church, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, when they were stopped en route. This incident has raised tensions in the Middle East, adding to the ongoing military conflict between Iran and the U.S. and Israel. An official statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the decision, stating it was "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate". The statement also highlighted the serious compliance of local Church restrictions imposed by civil authorities.