Pope Leo XIV has made his inaugural visit to a mosque since his election, marking a significant moment in interfaith dialogue. On March 30, 2024, he visited the historic Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, a renowned 17th-century architectural gem celebrated for its stunning turquoise ceramic tiles. During his visit, the pope removed his shoes, a customary gesture of respect, but did not engage in prayer.
Accompanied by local Muslim leaders, Pope Leo walked through the mosque’s courtyard before being shown the interior, where he remained in his white socks. The pope, known for his support of the Chicago White Sox, recently light-heartedly remarked about his affinity for “white socks.”
Aşgın Tunca, a local Muezzin responsible for calling Muslims to prayer, mentioned that he had invited the pope to pray during his visit. “I offered him the opportunity to worship here, but he declined, saying he just wanted to look around,” Tunca explained. This interaction reflects a broader context of previous papal visits, which have often sparked speculation about whether the pontiff would pray in a Muslim place of worship.
In 2014, Pope Francis spent two minutes in silent prayer at the Blue Mosque, while Pope Benedict XVI observed a moment of “silent meditation” during his visit in 2006. Both instances were significant, as they marked moments of spiritual connection between the two faiths.
Following Pope Leo’s visit, the Vatican released a statement indicating 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 sentiment echoes the ongoing efforts of the Catholic Church to foster dialogue with the Muslim community over the last sixty years.
The first pontiff to visit a mosque was John Paul II, who made a historic visit to a mosque in Syria in 2001. Recently, Pope Leo XIV commemorated the 60th anniversary of a pivotal church declaration on inter-religious cooperation, which attracted hundreds of religious leaders to the Vatican, showcasing the ongoing commitment to bridge divides between different faiths.
Pope Leo’s visit to the Blue Mosque not only highlights his personal approach to interfaith relations but also represents a continuation of the Catholic Church’s efforts to engage with the Muslim world in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.
