Pope Leo XIV made a significant visit to Istanbul’s renowned Blue Mosque on Saturday, engaging with Turkey’s religious leaders but opting not to pray during the visit. The pope, who is history’s first American pontiff, began a series of meetings aimed at fostering unity among Christians while respecting the local Muslim community.
Upon arriving at the 17th-century mosque, Pope Leo took off his shoes and toured the interior, admiring the intricate tiled domes and Arabic inscriptions. An imam, Asgin Tunca, guided him through the mosque but noted that the pope declined an invitation to pray, stating, “It’s not my house, not your house, (it’s the) house of Allah.”
Initially, the Vatican had indicated that Pope Leo would observe a “brief moment of silent prayer,” but this was later retracted. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that the pope chose to experience the visit in silence, demonstrating respect for the mosque and its significance to the Muslim faith.
Historical Context of Papal Visits
Papal visits to the Blue Mosque have historically raised questions about whether the pope would engage in prayer. Previous popes have had varied experiences in this regard. For instance, during Pope Benedict XVI‘s visit in 2006, he bowed his head in silent prayer alongside an imam, a gesture aimed at mending relations with the Muslim community. In contrast, Pope Francis prayed for two minutes in the mosque during his visit in 2014, solidifying a precedent for such gestures.
In light of past visits, Tunca expressed understanding of Pope Leo’s approach, stating, “He wanted to see the mosque, wanted to feel (the) atmosphere of the mosque.” The imam described the encounter as positive, reflecting the shared desire for interfaith dialogue.
Broader Diplomatic Efforts
The Vatican’s outreach to Turkey’s Muslim population is part of a broader effort to promote peace and understanding among different faiths. Following his visit to the Blue Mosque, Pope Leo engaged in discussions with Turkey’s Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem. This meeting served to strengthen relationships among the diverse Christian communities in Turkey, which number approximately 33,000 in a predominantly Muslim country of more than 85 million people.
Later in the day, the pope was scheduled to meet with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, at the patriarchal church of Saint George. Pope Leo emphasized the need for unity among Christians, framing this as essential for their collective witness. He also pointed to the upcoming Holy Year in 2033, commemorating the anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion, as a pivotal moment for Christians to come together.
Despite the significant spiritual undertones of the visit, logistical challenges arose. Pope Leo’s charter flight, operated by ITA Airways, was affected by a global Airbus software update. The necessary components were being expedited to Istanbul, ensuring that the pope would be able to continue his travels as scheduled.
Following his time in Turkey, Pope Leo plans to depart for Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday afternoon, marking the second leg of his inaugural journey as pontiff. This trip underscores a commitment to interfaith dialogue and reflects ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of religious leadership in an increasingly diverse world.
