Pope Leo visits Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

On the third day of his journey to Turkiye, Pope Leo XIV visited the renowned Blue Mosque in Istanbul, marking his first known entrance as a Catholic Church leader into a Muslim place of worship. Early on Saturday, the pope slightly bowed before entering the mosque and was guided through the vast complex, which can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers, by its imam and the citys mufti.

Wearing white socks, Leo XIV smiled throughout the approximately 20-minute visit and shared light moments with one of the mosques officials, the lead muezzin responsible for calling the faithful to prayer. He wanted to experience the mosque and its atmosphere, and he was very happy, said Askin Tunca, the muezzin who led the call to prayer, speaking to reporters.

During the tour, Tunca offered the pope a moment for prayer, but Leo XIV opted to simply observe the mosque. The Vatican stated that the popes visit was carried out in a spirit of reflection and attentiveness, showing profound respect for the location and the faith of those who gather there.

While Leo did not pray, he shared a playful moment with Tunca when leaving. Noticing he was being guided toward a door marked No exit, the pope commented with a smile, It says no exit. Tunca replied, You dont have to leave, you can stay here.

The popes trip to Turkiye, which lasts until Sunday, also includes a stop in Lebanon. Having remained relatively unknown internationally before his election in May, Leo XIV is under close observation as he delivers his first foreign speeches and meets people outside Italy.

The Blue Mosque, officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque after the Ottoman ruler who commissioned it from 1603 to 1617, is famed for its thousands of blue ceramic tiles that inspire its popular name. Unlike previous pontiffs, Leo XIV did not visit the nearby Hagia Sophia, a sixth-century basilica later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and now again a mosque since 2020a decision that drew criticism worldwide, including from the late Pope Francis.

Analysis: Pope Leo XIV's Historic Visit to the Blue Mosque

The visit of Pope Leo XIV to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul represents a significant moment in interfaith relations, particularly between Catholicism and Islam. As the first known Catholic Church leader to enter a Muslim place of worship, the pope's gesture is symbolic of a broader movement towards dialogue and mutual respect between different religious communities. His actions during the visit—bowing slightly before entering and observing the mosque without praying—demonstrated a deep respect for the space and the faith of those who gather there. The Vatican described the visit as being carried out "in a spirit of reflection and attentiveness," underscoring the importance of dialogue over conversion or political statements.

Despite the historic nature of the visit, it was notable that Leo XIV chose not to pray while at the mosque, unlike some of his predecessors who had visited mosques in other parts of the world. This decision may reflect a desire to avoid any misunderstanding or controversy, especially given the complex historical and political dynamics between Christian and Muslim communities. Furthermore, his light-hearted interaction with the mosque's lead muezzin, Askin Tunca, at the end of the visit suggests a personal effort to build bridges, not just between institutions but also at the human level.

The pope’s decision to bypass the Hagia Sophia—another iconic religious site in Istanbul—also raised questions. The Hagia Sophia, a former Christian cathedral turned mosque, holds significant religious and political symbolism. By choosing the Blue Mosque instead, Leo XIV may have been making a deliberate move to avoid exacerbating tensions over religious heritage and political ownership of sacred sites, a matter that remains sensitive in the region.

In the broader context of his trip to Turkiye and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV is under international scrutiny as he embarks on his first foreign speeches and diplomatic engagements. While the trip marks an important step in his pontificate, it also raises questions about how he will navigate the complex dynamics of faith and politics in the Middle East. His choice of destinations, including Turkey, reflects a desire to engage with the wider Muslim world, while his interactions with leaders and communities will shape his image as a global figure of peace and unity.

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• Pope Leo visits Blue Mosque in Turkiye’s Istanbul