Pope Leo XIV on Saturday visited Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque, marking a major symbolic moment in interfaith relations during his ongoing trip to Turkey. The visit, which took place early in the day, was the first time the American pontiff has entered a Muslim place of worship since his election in May as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The Blue Mosque — officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque — is one of Turkey’s most recognisable landmarks. With its six slender minarets, cascading domes and walls adorned with vibrant blue Iznik tiles, it remains both a centre of worship and a key tourist attraction in Istanbul’s historic heart.
Following Islamic custom, Pope Leo XIV removed his shoes before stepping onto the mosque’s burnt-orange carpet, walking in white socks. While not part of papal attire, the choice caught attention and was playfully interpreted by observers as a possible nod to his well-known fondness for the Chicago White Sox baseball team.
The pope spent roughly 15 minutes inside the mosque, guided by Muslim clerics and officials. According to an AFP correspondent accompanying the delegation, the visit unfolded quietly beneath the vast domes as a stray crow circled overhead, its calls echoing faintly through the space.
“He wanted to see the mosque, he wanted to feel the atmosphere of the mosque, and he was very pleased,” said Askin Tunca, the mosque’s muezzin, who leads the call to prayer. Tunca described the encounter
Pope Leo XIV’s visit continues a tradition set by his predecessors. Pope Benedict XVI entered the Blue Mosque in 2006, while Pope Francis followed suit in 2014, both occasions widely seen as efforts to promote dialogue between Christianity and Islam.
Outside the mosque, several dozen onlookers stood behind tight security cordons, many of them foreign tourists. Reactions to the visit were largely positive. “The pope’s travels are always very beautiful because he brings peace with him,” said Roberta Ribola, a 50-year-old tourist from northern Italy. “It’s good to see people from different cultures meeting.”
Local voices echoed similar sentiments, though with reservations. “It’s good that people from different cultures meet, especially at a time when Islamophobia is widespread,” said Sedat Kezer, a 33-year-old street vendor selling grilled corn nearby. However, he criticised the distance created by heavy security. “The pope would seem more sincere if he mingled with the public. No one can see or interact with him.”
The mosque visit forms part of Pope Leo XIV’s broader engagement in Turkey, where his itinerary includes meetings with religious leaders and state officials, reinforcing his message of peaceful coexistence and dialogue across faiths in an increasingly divided world.