Pope Leo visits mosque without shoes or prayer

Pope Leo XIV has paid his first visit to a mosque since becoming pontiff, removing his shoes as a gesture of respect but not taking part in prayer. On Saturday, he toured Istanbuls Blue Mosque, a 17th-century architectural landmark famed for its striking turquoise tiles and grand domes.

Accompanied by local Muslim leaders, Leo walked through the courtyard and entered the mosque in white socks after taking off his shoes. The American-born pope, known for his fondness for the Chicago White Sox, has joked that he always wears white socks.

Agn Tunca, a Muezzin who helped guide the pope inside, said he had invited Leo to pray during the tour. Tunca explained that although he was told the pope might take time to worship, Leo declined, saying he simply wished to look around.

Confusion followed when the Vatican press office released a statement claiming Leo had prayed at the mosque and had been welcomed by Turkeys top religious officialneither of which occurred. The Vatican later clarified that the message was mistakenly issued from a pre-visit briefing, noting it inaccurately referred to a brief moment of prayer.

Leo is the third pope to visit the Blue Mosque. Past papal visits have sparked questions over whether the pontiff would engage in prayer. Pope Francis paused for silent prayer there in 2014, while Pope Benedict XVI observed what the Vatican called silent meditation in 2006, seen by some as the first instance of a pope praying in a Muslim place of worship.

After Leos visit, the Vatican emphasized that the pope spent time in quiet reflection, honoring the site and the faith of worshippers present. John Paul II was the first pope to enter a mosque during his 2001 trip to Syria, marking the start of more active Catholic engagement with the Muslim world.

Leo recently commemorated the 60th anniversary of a major church document promoting interreligious cooperation, an event attended by hundreds of religious leaders at the Vatican.

Later on Saturday, he held private meetings with local Christian leaders before joining Patriarch Bartholomew I at a service in the Patriarchal Church of St. George. Highlighting one of the core themes of Leos trip, both leaders spoke about the fraternal ties between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians, churches that formally split in 1054.

Following the service, Leo and Bartholomew signed a joint declaration rejecting the use of religion to justify violence. The text affirmed that true interfaith dialogue is vital for peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and traditions.

At a mass held at Istanbuls Volkswagen Arena and attended by thousands, Leo delivered a homily stressing the importance of building relationships across religious boundaries. He urged Catholics to overcome prejudice, cultivate understanding, and serve as peacemakers.

The Catholic community in Turkey, numbering around 33,000, is small and diverse, including Armenians, Assyrians, and many immigrants. Flags from multiple countries filled the arena, and enthusiasm ran high among the roughly 3,000 attendees. Some wore shirts bearing the popes image, others chanted Viva il Papa, and one woman waved a flag featuring both Turkish and Vatican colors.

The liturgy incorporated several languagesTurkish, English, Latin, Armenian, and Aramaicreflecting the countrys varied Christian traditions. A Turkish translation appeared on large screens throughout the service. Pope Leo delivered his homily in English.

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

On his first visit to a mosque as the pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has made a significant gesture towards interfaith dialogue, while also sparking some confusion. His decision to visit Istanbul’s Blue Mosque without participating in prayer underlines the delicate balance between showing respect and maintaining the boundaries of religious practice. Though the pope removed his shoes, a customary sign of respect in Muslim culture, he chose not to join in worship, instead opting for "quiet reflection," a distinction that highlights the complexity of such visits.

The Vatican’s initial announcement that Leo had prayed at the mosque was quickly corrected, reflecting the delicate nature of religious symbolism and the potential for misinterpretation. This incident underscores the challenges religious leaders face when navigating interfaith interactions. While Pope Leo’s visit was marked by mutual respect, it also demonstrates the continued complexities in defining the role of the pope in non-Catholic worship spaces.

The pope’s presence at the Blue Mosque, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, signals the ongoing dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Muslim world. While past popes have either observed or silently prayed in mosques, Pope Leo's choice to reflect rather than pray may set a new precedent for future papal visits to places of worship outside the Christian tradition.

Ultimately, Leo’s visit to Istanbul emphasized the importance of building relationships across religious lines, especially in the context of his broader trip, which also focused on Catholic-Orthodox unity and interfaith peace. By focusing on dialogue rather than theological differences, the pope continues his efforts to foster a culture of understanding, where peaceful coexistence is prioritized over division.

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• Pope Leo removes shoes but does not appear to pray in first mosque visit