Pope Leo Visits Istanbul’s Blue Mosque for the First Time

On the third day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV toured Istanbul’s historic Blue Mosque for the first time. This marks his first visit to a Muslim place of worship since becoming head of the Catholic Church. Accompanied by local Muslim leaders, he entered the mosque barefoot as a sign of respect and was shown around the vast courtyard and prayer hall by the imam, the city’s mufti, and the chief muezzin. The Pope appeared cheerful throughout the tour, speaking warmly with his guides.

Chief muezzin Aşgin Tunka said he invited the Pope to pray inside the mosque, but Pope Leo declined, noting that he had come simply to experience the atmosphere. The Vatican initially issued a statement mistakenly suggesting that the Pope had prayed during the visit, but later retracted it, acknowledging the error. Pope Leo is the third pontiff to visit the Blue Mosque, following Pope Francis in 2014 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, both of whom paused there for silent prayer. John Paul II was the first pope to visit a mosque when he toured one in Syria in 2001.

A lighthearted moment occurred during the visit when the Pope was mistakenly guided toward a door marked “No exit.” When he jokingly pointed it out, the muezzin replied, “You don’t need to leave—you can stay if you want.” According to the Vatican, Pope Leo explored the mosque with deep respect, viewing the visit as a powerful symbol of interfaith harmony.

As part of his trip, the Pope also met with local Christian leaders and joined Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in a religious service. Although he did not visit Hagia Sophia, observers believe the Blue Mosque visit underscores his intention to strengthen relations with the Muslim world.