Pope Leo's Peaceful Journey: Unity and Respect in Istanbul

Pope Leo XIV made a significant stop at Istanbul's Blue Mosque during his first foreign visit. This visit was part of his effort to promote unity among Christians. Unlike his predecessors, Leo did not pray at the mosque but showed respect by touring the place. An imam invited him to pray, but Leo chose to admire the mosque's atmosphere instead. After the mosque visit, Leo met with Turkey's Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem. This meeting was important because it highlighted the ongoing efforts to unite different Christian groups. The split between Eastern and Western churches in 1054, known as the Great Schism, has been a long-standing issue. Leo and other popes have been working to bridge this divide. Leo also visited the Church of St. George, where he prayed with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. They sang a doxology, a hymn of praise to God. Leo emphasized that this encounter would strengthen their friendship and help overcome divisions among Christians. Bartholomew noted the significance of Leo's visit to Turkey, marking the 1, 700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Interestingly, Leo did not visit the Hagia Sophia, a historic landmark that was recently converted back into a mosque. This decision might have been influenced by the international criticism that followed the conversion. Instead, Leo focused on fostering unity and respect among different religious groups. Later in the day, Leo held a private meeting with Turkey's Christian leaders. He then attended a Catholic Mass in Istanbul's Volkswagen Arena. Despite the rain and tight security, many devout Catholics eagerly awaited the event. Maria Banasik, a Polish national living in Ankara, expressed the importance of Leo's visit in the current global situation. While Leo was busy with his religious duties, trip organizers had to deal with a technical issue. Leo's flight was affected by a worldwide Airbus software update. The necessary component and technician were on their way to Istanbul to fix the problem. Leo's next stop was Lebanon, where security measures were tightened ahead of his visit. The Interior Ministry banned trucks from entering Beirut and surrounding areas. Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon, welcomed Leo's visit, emphasizing their commitment to religious coexistence and security.