WEB DESK: Pope Leo visited Istanbul’s renowned Blue Mosque on Saturday, marking a historic moment during his first visit as leader of the Catholic Church to a Muslim site of worship. As a sign of respect, he removed his shoes though he did not appear to engage in prayer. This visit is part of his four-day trip to Turkey, which concludes on Sunday and also includes a stop in Lebanon.
As the first US-born pontiff, Leo has drawn significant attention since his papacy began in May. His international debut as pope is under close observation as he delivers speeches and engages with communities beyond predominantly Catholic Italy.
In a statement, the Vatican described Leo’s visit as being “undertaken in a spirit of reflection and listening, with profound respect for the site and the faith of those who gather there for prayer.”
Before entering the mosque, Leo bowed slightly and was given a guided tour of the vast complex, capable of accommodating 10,000 worshippers. The tour was led by the mosque’s imam and the mufti of Istanbul.
During his 20-minute visit, Leo walked in white socks, smiled warmly, and exchanged jokes with one of his guides, the mosque’s chief muezzin, who leads the daily calls to prayer.
The Blue Mosque
Known formally as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque was constructed during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I of the Ottoman Empire between 1603 and 1617. It garners its nickname from its interior adorned with thousands of intricate blue ceramic tiles.
