Pope Leo's Respectful Visit to the Blue Mosque

Pope Leo made a significant stop at Istanbul's Blue Mosque during his first international trip. He showed respect by taking off his shoes, a common practice in many Muslim places of worship. However, he chose not to pray, focusing instead on exploring the mosque's vast interior, which can accommodate up to 10, 000 people. Leo, the first U. S. pope, interacted warmly with the mosque's officials, including the imam and the muezzin. He even shared a light moment when he noticed he was exiting through an entrance door, joking about the "No exit" sign. The muezzin playfully invited him to stay, highlighting the friendly atmosphere of the visit. This trip is being watched closely as it marks Leo's first overseas journey as pope. Before his election in May, he was not widely known on the global stage. His interactions in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, are seen as a test of his diplomatic skills. The Blue Mosque, officially named after Sultan Ahmed I, is famous for its stunning blue ceramic tiles. It stands opposite the Hagia Sophia, a former cathedral that Leo did not visit. This decision breaks with tradition, as previous popes have visited the Hagia Sophia, which was converted into a mosque in 2020 after being a museum for over 70 years. Leo's visit to Turkey also commemorates the 1, 700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, a key document in Christian history. During a ceremony with Christian leaders from the Middle East, he condemned religious violence and called for unity among the world's 2. 6 billion Christians, describing the lack of unity as a scandal.