Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Pope Leo XIV Visits Istanbul’s Blue Mosque Emphasizing Unity Over Prayer
Pope Leo XIV made headlines during his visit to Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque. On Saturday, the pontiff focused on strengthening relationships with Orthodox patriarchs while promoting unity between Eastern and Western churches.
As he entered the 17th-century mosque, Leo took off his shoes and toured the stunning architecture. In his white socks, he gazed up at the soaring domes and admired the intricate Arabic inscriptions on the columns as an imam guided him through the space.
Despite previous announcements from the Vatican indicating that Leo would partake in a brief moment of silent prayer, he ultimately chose not to pray within the mosque. Imam Asgin Tunca extended an invitation to Leo, stating that the mosque is “Allah’s house.” However, the pope declined the offer.
After the visit, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni remarked that the pope experienced the visit in silence, embodying a spirit of contemplation and profound respect for those who gather in prayer.
The Vatican later issued a revised version of its bulletin regarding the visit, omitting any references to the planned moment of silent prayer without providing additional context.
Following in the Footsteps of Predecessors
Pope Leo XIV, notably the first American pope, follows a tradition set by his predecessors, who have all visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque as a gesture of respect to Turkey’s Muslim population. However, these visits often prompt questions about the possibility of the pope praying inside a mosque or at least taking a moment for meditative silence.
When Pope Benedict XVI visited Turkey in 2006, he faced scrutiny due to a controversial speech made months earlier, which many interpreted as linking Islam to violence. In an effort to foster goodwill, the Vatican arranged a last-minute visit to the Blue Mosque, where Benedict observed a moment of silent prayer alongside the imam, thus marking only the second time a pope had visited a mosque.
Pope Francis’ 2014 visit left no room for ambiguity. He took two minutes of silent prayer in the mosque, demonstrating an openness and respect that was acknowledged by the Grand Mufti of Istanbul.
Unexpected Silence
In a dialogue with reporters after the visit, Imam Tunca conveyed what he told the pope: “It’s not my house, not your house, (it’s the) house of Allah.” He expressed his understanding of Leo’s wish to absorb the mosque’s atmosphere, asserting that the pope seemed genuinely pleased with the visit.
Further revisions to the official program occurred when it was announced that the head of Turkey’s Diyanet religious affairs directorate would accompany Leo in the mosque. This did not transpire, as a spokesperson from Diyanet clarified that he had already welcomed the pope in Ankara.
Significant Absences on the Itinerary
Interestingly, Pope Leo XIV did not include a visit to the nearby Hagia Sophia, a former cathedral now converted back into a mosque. This change in itinerary occurred after Turkey’s controversial decision in July 2020 to transform Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque, a move that drew international condemnation, including from the Vatican.
After his mosque visit, the pope met privately with Turkey’s Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem. In the afternoon, he joined Patriarch Bartholomew for prayers at the patriarchal church of Saint George.
This gathering included the recitation of the doxology, a Christian hymn dedicated to praising God, where they also signed a joint declaration. Their agreement highlighted their commitment to taking bold steps towards greater unity, including collaborating on a shared date for Easter celebrations.
A Call for Spiritual Unity
The historical schism between Eastern and Western churches, which began in 1054, stemmed primarily from disagreements over papal authority. Despite progress in recent years towards reconciliation, divisions persist.
In his remarks to the gathered patriarchs, Pope Leo expressed intentions for the next Holy Year in 2033, coinciding with the anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion, and invited them to join him in Jerusalem for a pilgrimage aimed at fostering complete unity among Christians.
Pope Leo’s final engagement for the day consisted of a Catholic Mass held at Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena for the local Catholic community, which numbers around 33,000 in a predominantly Sunni Muslim country with a population exceeding 85 million.
While the pope focused on enhancing relations with both Orthodox Christians and Muslims, logistical issues occupied trip organizers’ attention as well.
Pope Leo’s charter flight, an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo, was caught up in a global software update procedure mandated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency after concerns arose from a recent incident involving a JetBlue flight.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that ITA was actively addressing the situation, with the necessary equipment en route to Istanbul from Rome alongside a technician for installation.
Pope Leo XIV’s next stop in his inaugural trip as pope is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Beirut, Lebanon, marking the second leg of his significant journey.
