Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s renowned Blue Mosque on July 1, 2023, to engage with religious leaders in Turkey, emphasizing the importance of Christian unity. Although the Vatican had indicated the pope would hold a “brief moment of silent prayer” during his visit, Leo opted not to pray in the mosque, instead choosing to tour the historic site while barefoot in his white socks.
During the visit, the pope gazed at the mosque’s stunning 17th-century architecture, including its intricate tiled domes and Arabic inscriptions, as Imam Asgin Tunca provided insights. While Tunca had invited the pope to pray, stating the mosque is “Allah’s house,” Leo declined. A spokesperson for the Vatican, Matteo Bruni, later clarified that the pope experienced the visit in silence, reflecting on the significance of the location and the faith of those who worship there.
This visit marks a continuation of papal tradition, following in the footsteps of previous popes who have visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque as a gesture of respect toward the Muslim majority in Turkey. Past visits have often sparked speculation regarding whether the pope would engage in prayer or meditation within the mosque’s walls.
In 2006, during a time of heightened tensions due to controversial comments made in a speech, Pope Benedict XVI included a visit to the Blue Mosque, where he observed a moment of silent prayer alongside Tunca. Similarly, during his 2014 visit, Pope Francis participated in two minutes of silent prayer, receiving acknowledgment from the Grand Mufti of Istanbul, Rahmi Yaran.
After his visit to the mosque, Leo XIV held a private meeting with Turkey’s Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem. He later planned to pray with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian community, at the patriarchal church of Saint George. During these discussions, Leo highlighted the divisions among Christians as obstacles to their collective witness and invited leaders to unite for the upcoming Holy Year in 2033, commemorating the anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion.
Notably, Pope Leo XIV did not include a visit to Hagia Sophia, a landmark that has previously been part of papal itineraries. The historic site, once a cathedral and currently a mosque, was converted from a museum in July 2020, a move that drew international criticism, including from the Vatican.
While the pope focused on fostering interfaith dialogue, logistical challenges also arose during the trip. The pope’s charter flight with ITA Airways encountered delays due to a global Airbus software update mandated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. This update follows concerns regarding a recent incident involving a sudden altitude drop on a commercial flight. Bruni confirmed that ITA was addressing the issue, with necessary components en route to Istanbul for installation.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel from Istanbul to Beirut, Lebanon, on July 2, 2023, for the next leg of his inaugural trip as pope, furthering his mission to enhance relationships with various faith communities.
