Pope Leo XIV created a moment of surprise for his own aides during a landmark visit to Istanbul's renowned Blue Mosque, choosing not to pray inside the Muslim place of worship despite expectations.
A Historic Gesture of Respect
The American Pontiff, on his first foreign trip since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church in May, made history by entering the Blue Mosque. In a clear sign of respect for Islamic tradition, Pope Leo removed his shoes before being guided through the expansive complex in his white socks by Imam Kurra Hafiz Fatih Kaya and the Mufti of Istanbul.
The 20-minute tour was conducted in a spirit of reflection, with the Vatican later stating the Pope acted with "deep respect for the place and for the faith of those who gather there in prayer." However, the visit took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that the Pope had declined an opportunity to pray.
Vatican's Erroneous Statement and the Pope's Choice
Confusion arose when the Vatican press office released an official statement incorrectly claiming that the Pope had both been formally welcomed and had prayed inside the mosque. The office was later forced to admit the release had been sent in error.
Askin Musa Tunca, the mosque's lead muezzin who led the daily calls to prayer, provided clarity to journalists. He confirmed that he had asked Pope Leo if he wished to pause for a moment of prayer during the tour. The Pope, however, said he preferred to just visit the mosque.
The atmosphere remained light-hearted, with the Pontiff seen joking with Tunca. As he was leaving, Pope Leo noticed he was being guided out through a door marked "No exit." Smiling, he pointed out the sign, to which Tunca humorously replied, "You don't have to go out, you can stay here."
Significance of the Turkish Visit
The Pope's four-day trip to Turkey, which also includes a stop in Lebanon, was chosen to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the landmark early Church council that produced the Nicene Creed. At a ceremony commemorating the council, Pope Leo condemned violence carried out in the name of religion and urged Christians to overcome centuries of division.
In a break from previous papal itineraries, Pope Leo did not visit the Hagia Sophia, the former Byzantine cathedral located directly across from the Blue Mosque which was converted back into a mosque in 2020. The Vatican has not commented on this decision, a contrast to the late Pope Francis who visited the site in 2014 and expressed pain at its later re-conversion.
The 17th-century Blue Mosque, officially named after Sultan Ahmed I, is famed for the thousands of blue ceramic tiles that give it its popular name. For Pope Leo, a relative unknown on the global stage before his election, this first foray into interfaith diplomacy on foreign soil is being closely watched by observers worldwide.
