Pope Leo XIV makes historic visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

On the third day of his first overseas tour since his election in May, Pope Leo XIV entered the iconic Blue Mosque, becoming the first American pontiff to set foot in a Muslim place of worship since his predecessor Francis.

The visit, which lasted about 15 minutes, saw the pope remove his shoes and walk on the mosque’s burnt‑orange carpet in white socks – a nod, perhaps, to his favourite baseball team, the Chicago White Sox. He was guided by Muslim dignitaries, while a lone crow circled overhead.

“It was a highly symbolic gesture,” said Askin Tunca, the mosque’s muezzin. “He wanted to see the mosque, he wanted to feel the atmosphere and he was very pleased.”

Outside, a mix of tourists and locals gathered behind security barriers. Some praised the gesture as a step toward inter‑faith dialogue. “The pope’s travels are always beautiful because he brings peace,” said Roberta Ribola, a tourist from northern Italy. Others expressed frustration at the tight security and limited interaction. “The pope would seem more sincere if he mingled with the public,” noted Sedat Kezer, a street‑food vendor.

The visit follows earlier papal trips to the Blue Mosque by Benedict XVI (2006) and Francis (2014). Unlike his predecessors, Pope Leo did not visit the nearby Hagia Sophia, which was reconverted to a mosque in 2020 – a move that drew international criticism, including from Pope Francis.

Later on Saturday, Pope Leo met local church leaders for a brief service at the Patriarchal Church of St George and signed a joint declaration with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. At 14:00 GMT he celebrated Mass at the Volkswagen Arena, expected to draw around 4,000 worshippers. On Sunday, after a prayer at the Armenian cathedral and a divine liturgy at St George’s, he will travel to Lebanon for the next leg of his tour.

The pontiff’s itinerary reflects a focus on inter‑religious dialogue and a continuation of his predecessors’ outreach to Muslim communities, while also highlighting the complex political and cultural landscape of Turkey.