Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s historic Blue Mosque on Saturday, engaging in a significant day of discussions with Turkey’s Christian leaders. This visit marks a continuation of diplomatic outreach by the Vatican, emphasizing the need for unity among Christians.
During the visit, Leo entered the mosque barefoot, wearing white socks, and took a moment to absorb the architectural beauty of the 17th-century site, including its impressive domes and intricate Arabic inscriptions. While the Vatican had indicated that the pope would observe a “brief moment of silent prayer,” he ultimately chose not to do so. Imam Asgin Tunca, who guided Leo through the mosque, had invited him to pray, referring to the mosque as “Allah’s house,” but the pope declined.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni later clarified that Leo experienced the visit in silence, reflecting a spirit of contemplation and respect for the faith of those who gather in prayer at the mosque. The Vatican subsequently issued a corrected bulletin, omitting the reference to the planned silent prayer without further explanation.
Historically, papal visits to the Blue Mosque have sparked discussions regarding the appropriateness of prayer within a Muslim place of worship. Previous popes, including Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 and Pope Francis in 2014, have engaged in moments of silent prayer during their visits, further solidifying the tradition of interfaith dialogue.
Following the tour, Imam Tunca shared that Leo expressed a desire to experience the atmosphere of the mosque and was pleased with the visit. He had told the pope, “If you want, you can worship here,” but Leo declined, indicating a preference to observe and appreciate the environment instead.
Additionally, there were changes to the official program regarding the expected presence of the head of Turkey’s Diyanet religious affairs directorate, who was not present as he had already welcomed Leo in Ankara.
Hagia Sophia, a significant landmark and former cathedral, was notably absent from Leo’s itinerary. The site, which was converted back into a mosque in July 2020, has been a point of contention internationally, including criticism from the Vatican.
After the mosque visit, Pope Leo XIV convened a private meeting with Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem. Later, he planned to join Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christians, for a prayer session at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George. During these discussions, Leo urged the gathered leaders to overcome divisions among Christians, highlighting that such schisms hinder their collective witness. He also pointed to the upcoming Holy Year in 2033, commemorating 2,000 years since the crucifixion of Christ, inviting them to consider a pilgrimage to Jerusalem aimed at fostering unity.
The pope’s visit also coincided with logistical challenges for trip organizers. His ITA Airways Airbus A320neo charter was affected by a global software update mandated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, necessitating a delay in the aircraft’s readiness. Matteo Bruni confirmed that the required components for the update were en route to Istanbul along with a technician for installation.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to continue his inaugural trip as pope with a flight from Istanbul to Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday afternoon. This visit underscores the Vatican’s ongoing commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding, particularly in a region marked by diverse religious traditions.
