Pope Leo XIV's Historic Visit to Istanbul's Blue Mosque

Sun Nov 30 2025 20:39:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Pope Leo XIV visits the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, marking the first papal visit to a Muslim place of worship since taking office. The Pope embraces interfaith dialogue during his trip to Turkey.

In a significant step for interfaith relations, Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul's renowned Blue Mosque, emphasizing respect and reflection in his interactions with the Muslim community. This visit, part of a four-day trip that will include a stop in Lebanon, highlights the Vatican's focus on building bridges between faiths. Unlike his predecessors, Pope Leo did not pray at the mosque but engaged in a dialogue rooted in respect for shared humanity.

Pope Leo XIV has visited Istanbul's Sultan Ahmed Mosque - widely known as the Blue Mosque - in his first outing to a Muslim place of worship since taking up the papacy in May.

The Pontiff was observed bowing as he entered the mosque, though he did not partake in prayer as his two predecessors had.

The Vatican stated Leo undertook the visit 'in a spirit of reflection and listening, with deep respect for the place and for the faith of those who gather there in prayer'.

The Pope is currently on a four-day visit to Turkey, which will be followed by a trip to Lebanon.

Later, he was welcomed at St. George's Cathedral in Istanbul by Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616, is renowned for its stunning blue and turquoise ceramic tiles and attracts millions of visitors annually.

Pope Francis had prayed at the mosque in 2014, and Pope Benedict XVI did so in 2006. The first papal visit to a mosque was by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

This visit had been planned under the previous papacy of Pope Francis, focusing on themes of peace and cooperation between faiths. In an address, Pope Leo cautioned against escalating global conflicts, stating that 'the future of humanity is at stake'.

During his time in Lebanon, where Christians make up approximately a third of the population, he is expected to engage further with various faith leaders and listen to the perspectives of young people. His trip will conclude with a Mass at the Beirut waterfront, commemorating the victims of the 2020 port explosion.