Pope Leo XIV has made a significant visit to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, marking his first trip to a mosque since his election. On September 30, 2023, the Pope, who is the first American pontiff, removed his shoes as a gesture of respect but chose not to participate in prayer during the visit. The Blue Mosque, a remarkable example of Ottoman architecture completed in the 17th century, is adorned with stunning turquoise ceramic tiles.
Accompanied by local Muslim leaders, Pope Leo walked through the mosque’s courtyard and was shown the interior while wearing white socks, a detail he humorously noted earlier as part of his personal style. He was invited by Aşgın Tunca, a Muezzin, to engage in prayer, but he declined, opting instead to observe the space. Tunca remarked, “I offered him, if he would like to worship here, but he said ‘no, I am just going to look around.”
This visit makes Pope Leo the third pope to visit the Blue Mosque, a site that has seen similar papal engagements in the past. In 2014, Pope Francis spent a brief two minutes in silent prayer there. Earlier, in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI engaged in what the Vatican termed a moment of “silent meditation,” which was interpreted by some as a prayerful act within a Muslim place of worship.
Significance of the Visit
Following the visit, the Vatican released a statement indicating that Pope Leo “visited the Mosque in silence, in a spirit of reflection and listening, with profound respect for the place and the faith of those gathered here in prayer.” This visit aligns with a broader trend of increasing interfaith dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Muslim community over the past sixty years.
The historical context of papal visits to mosques began with John Paul II, who visited a mosque in Syria in 2001. Since then, there has been a concerted effort by the Catholic Church to foster dialogue and understanding. Recently, Pope Leo marked the 60th anniversary of a pivotal church declaration on inter-religious cooperation, an event attended by hundreds of religious leaders at the Vatican.
This latest visit by Pope Leo XIV continues the legacy of his predecessors in promoting peace and dialogue among different faiths, emphasizing respect and understanding in a world often marked by division.
