Pope Leo XIV visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul on March 30, 2024, marking his first visit to a mosque since his election. Although he removed his shoes as a sign of respect, he chose not to engage in prayer during this significant occasion. The Blue Mosque, a 17th-century architectural marvel adorned with turquoise ceramic tiles, is a prominent symbol of Ottoman heritage.
Accompanied by local Muslim leaders, Pope Leo walked through the mosque’s courtyard and toured the interior in his white socks. Known for his fondness for the Chicago White Sox, he recently humorously noted, “I always wear white socks.” During the visit, Aşgın Tunca, a Muezzin who guided the Pope around the mosque, extended an invitation for him to pray. However, the Pope declined, stating, “I am just going to look around.” Tunca explained that he had been informed prior to the visit that the Pope would pray at the mosque.
This visit makes Pope Leo the third Pope to visit the Blue Mosque. His predecessors have also faced questions regarding prayer during their visits. In 2014, Pope Francis spent two minutes in silent prayer, while Pope Benedict XVI engaged in what the Vatican termed “silent meditation” during his visit in 2006, an act some interpreted as the first instance of a Pope praying in a Muslim place of worship.
Following the visit, the Vatican issued a statement describing the Pope’s time at the mosque as a moment of silence, reflection, and listening, demonstrating profound respect for both the location and the faith of those present in prayer. The historical significance of this visit is underscored by the fact that the first Pope to visit a mosque was John Paul II, who did so in Syria in 2001.
Over the past sixty years, the Catholic Church has actively engaged in dialogue with the Muslim community. Recently, Pope Leo commemorated the 60th anniversary of a pivotal church declaration on inter-religious cooperation, attended by hundreds of religious leaders at the Vatican. This ongoing dialogue seeks to promote understanding and respect between diverse faiths, an objective that remains crucial in today’s global context.
