Pope Leo Visits Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Observes Customs but Does Not Pray
ISTANBUL, Nov 29 (Foxton News) — Pope Leo’s historic stop at Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque on Saturday blended symbolism, diplomacy, and a few moments of lighthearted exchange, even as it surprised observers by omitting one element many expected: prayer. The visit, part of his first official journey to a Muslim house of worship since assuming the papacy, unfolded on the second day of his four-day trip to Turkey.
The pontiff removed his shoes at the entrance, adhering to traditional Islamic etiquette, before stepping inside the vast interior of the 17th-century structure. Clad in white socks, he paused briefly at the threshold, bowing his head slightly as he entered, and was soon greeted by the mosque’s imam and by Istanbul’s mufti, who jointly guided him through the expansive compound.
Though the Blue Mosque can accommodate as many as 10,000 worshippers at capacity, the pope’s tour was intimate and relaxed. Witnesses saw him smiling as he moved through the ornate chambers and hallways, deep in conversation with his escorts. At one point, he even shared a joke with the lead muezzin—the official charged with sounding the daily calls to prayer—lightening the tone of a visit that many expected to be more solemn.
Unexpected Turn in Vatican Messaging
Shortly after the tour concluded, it became clear that something had not gone according to the Vatican’s expectations. Officials appeared to have believed that Pope Leo would take a moment for silent reflection or prayer within the mosque, a symbolic gesture performed by some previous popes on interfaith visits. But no such pause occurred.
In another unexpected twist, the pope’s visit was not greeted by the head of Turkey’s Diyanet—the influential government-run religious authority—as Vatican planners had anticipated. That leader’s absence drew questions from journalists covering the trip, though Turkish officials offered no immediate explanation.
Roughly three hours after the visit, the Vatican press office issued a statement indicating that both the anticipated welcome and the expected moment of prayer had indeed taken place. Within minutes, however, the office recalled the message, acknowledging that the information had been released “in error.” The brief confusion added a wrinkle to a visit that, on the surface, had appeared smooth and cordial.
Muezzin Describes His Exchange with the Pope
As the post-visit discussion grew, Askin Musa Tunca, the mosque’s lead muezzin, stepped forward to provide his version of events. Speaking with reporters, Tunca explained that during the tour he personally asked the pope whether he wished to pause to pray inside the sacred space.
“He told me he preferred simply to take in the atmosphere and history,” Tunca said. “He wanted to visit, to look, to understand—but not to pray.”
The Vatican, in its immediate post-tour statement, emphasized a slightly different angle, noting that the pope had moved through the mosque “in a spirit of contemplation, attentiveness, and profound respect for the worship practiced here.” While this wording did not explicitly claim that the pope had prayed, the initial press release issued later—before being retracted—had briefly created the impression that he had done so.
During the walk-through, Leo also displayed a sense of humor. As the group prepared to leave, he noticed that the exit door bore a sign reading “No exit,” indicating that it was typically used for entry only. Smiling, he pointed to the sign and remarked, “It says this isn’t an exit.” Without hesitation, Tunca replied, “You don’t have to leave—you’re welcome to stay.”
A First Journey Abroad Under Close Scrutiny
This trip to Turkey marks Pope Leo’s first time traveling outside Italy since his election in May. Prior to becoming pontiff, he was little known outside ecclesiastical circles, and his introductory tour on the world stage has drawn significant attention from diplomats, religious leaders, and analysts interested in how he will present himself internationally.
In addition to Turkey, the pope plans to visit Lebanon before returning to Rome. His schedule has been filled with speeches, meetings, and symbolic gestures—each watched closely for hints about the direction of his papacy and his approach to interfaith relations.
The Blue Mosque and Its Legacy
Officially named after Sultan Ahmed I—who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1603 to 1617 and commissioned the grand complex—the mosque is famous for the thousands of handmade blue tiles that adorn its interior walls, giving it both its popular name and its distinctive visual aura. Its intricate domes and six minarets have made it one of Turkey’s most recognized architectural and religious landmarks.
The mosque sits directly opposite another icon of Istanbul’s skyline: the Hagia Sophia. Yet Pope Leo did not include the Hagia Sophia on his itinerary, in contrast with earlier papal visits.
A Deliberate Absence: Hagia Sophia Not on the Pope’s Route
For nearly a thousand years, the Hagia Sophia served as one of Christianity’s most significant churches before being converted into a mosque following the fall of Constantinople. It remained so for the next five centuries until Turkey’s secular republic transformed it into a museum in the 20th century. In 2020, it was reclassified again as a functioning mosque by President Tayyip Erdoğan, a decision that drew international debate.
The Vatican has offered no explanation for Pope Leo’s choice not to visit the Hagia Sophia. The omission is notable, especially considering that Pope Francis had visited the building during a 2014 trip and later expressed sorrow when its museum status was reversed. Francis had said he was “deeply pained” by its reconversion into a mosque.
Leo’s decision to bypass the site is therefore widely interpreted as deliberate, though the nature of the reasoning—practical, symbolic, or diplomatic—remains a topic of speculation.
Marking a Milestone in Christian History
Pope Leo’s decision to make predominantly Muslim Turkey his first foreign destination was driven in part by a major Christian historical anniversary: the 1,700th year since the First Council of Nicaea. Convened in what is now modern-day Türkiye, the council played a defining role in shaping Christian doctrine, most famously producing what later became known as the Nicene Creed. The creed continues to serve as a foundational expression of belief for most Christian denominations.
On Friday, the pope attended a commemorative event that drew clerics and Christian intellectual leaders from across the Middle East and beyond. The gathering underscored not only the historical significance of the council but also the ongoing desire for unity among Christian communities—many of which remain deeply divided along theological and political lines.
Appeal for Unity and Condemnation of Violence in Religion’s Name
During his address at the ceremony, Pope Leo issued a strong denunciation of religiously motivated violence. Without identifying any specific country or group, he called on Christians to reject forms of extremism emerging within or around their faith traditions.
He also spoke directly to Christian leaders from nations including Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and Israel, lamenting the fragmentation that continues to characterize the global Christian community. With the world’s Christian population numbering an estimated 2.6 billion, the pope described it as “a scandal” that such a vast community remains riddled with divisions.
His message emphasized reconciliation, cooperation, and an end to what he called “centuries of mistrust,” urging churches to focus on shared spiritual foundations rather than historical grievances.
Looking Ahead
As Pope Leo continues the remainder of his trip, observers expect further opportunities to interpret how he seeks to position himself as a global religious figure. His interactions in Turkey—particularly in settings both deeply symbolic and politically sensitive—may help establish the tone of his papacy on issues of interreligious dialogue, historical memory, and global Christian unity.
For now, his visit to the Blue Mosque has offered a first glimpse of his diplomatic style: respectful, contemplative, sometimes humorous, and occasionally unpredictable. Whether the absence of a formal prayer in the mosque proves to be merely a footnote or a defining moment in his early papal travels remains to be seen, but the encounter has already sparked wide conversation across religious and political circles.
As his journey continues through Sunday, the attention of both Turkey and the broader international community remains fixed on how the new pope navigates his first steps on the world stage—and what those steps may signal for the future direction of the Catholic Church.
