Pope Leo XIV has embarked on a significant visit to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, marking his first entrance into a mosque since his election. This visit, which took place on Saturday, included a respectful gesture of removing his shoes but did not involve any prayer.
The Blue Mosque, renowned for its stunning 17th-century architecture and adorned with turquoise ceramic tiles, served as the backdrop for this historic moment. Accompanied by local Muslim leaders, Pope Leo toured the mosque’s expansive courtyard and interior, notably without footwear, opting instead to walk in his white socks. The pope, who has been humorously noted for his preference for socks, acknowledged his Chicago White Sox fandom during the visit.
According to Aşgın Tunca, a Muezzin who guided the pope through the mosque, an invitation to pray was extended. Tunca reported, “I offered him, if he would like to worship here, but he said ‘no, I am just going to look around.’” This decision aligns with the pope’s intent to engage in a spirit of reflection rather than formal prayer during the visit.
Significance of the Visit
This encounter highlights the ongoing dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Muslim community. Pope Leo XIV becomes the third pope to visit the Blue Mosque, following Pope Francis in 2014, who spent two minutes in silent prayer, and Pope Benedict XVI, who observed a moment of what the Vatican termed “silent meditation” in 2006. These past visits have often raised questions about the possibility of prayer within the mosque.
Following Leo’s visit, the Vatican released a statement emphasizing that the pope 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 respectful approach underscores the Catholic Church’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, which has seen significant advances over the past sixty years.
Pope Leo recently commemorated the 60th anniversary of a pivotal church declaration on inter-religious cooperation, an event attended by hundreds of religious leaders at the Vatican. The first pope to visit a mosque was John Paul II, who made a historic trip to a mosque in Syria in 2001.
The visit to the Blue Mosque not only serves as a moment of cultural significance but also reflects the ongoing efforts to foster understanding and collaboration among different faiths, reinforcing the message of respect and unity in a diverse world.
