Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s renowned Blue Mosque on Saturday, emphasizing the need to strengthen ties with the Orthodox Patriarch and taking steps towards unifying the Eastern and Western Churches. He removed his shoes and donned white socks as he explored the 17th-century mosque, admiring the majestic domes and Arabic text on the pillars while the imam highlighted them.
The Vatican had anticipated a “short moment of silence” for Leo inside the mosque, but that didn’t happen. Imam Asgin Tunka mentioned he invited Leo to pray, yet the pope declined, stating that the mosque is the “house of Allah.” Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni later explained that the pope visited quietly, reflecting a spirit of meditation and respect for the faith of those who pray there.
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The Vatican subsequently revised its bulletin, omitting any mention of the intended moment of silence without providing clarification. Being the first American pope, Leo followed the traditions of his predecessors who honored Turkey’s Muslim majority through significant visits to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
Questions about the Pope’s visit to the Blue Mosque
Such visits often raise questions about whether the pope will pray in a Muslim house of worship or at least take a moment for contemplative silence. For example, Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2006 stirred tensions after his speech in Germany was construed as linking Islam to violence. During that visit, he bowed his head in silence while the Imam prayed beside him.
Pope Francis, on the other hand, had no hesitation during his visit in 2014; he offered two minutes of silence, bowing his head and clasping his hands in reverence. In Leo’s case, however, even the Vatican seemed surprised by his decision not to engage in prayer, prompting a correction of the official record regarding his visit.
Afterwards, Imam Tunka expressed that he prompted the pope: “This is not my home, this is not your home, this is the home of Allah.” The pope, he noted, seemed content just experiencing the mosque’s atmosphere. Additionally, changes occurred in the official schedule after the announcement that Turkey’s Diyanet religious director would accompany Leo at the mosque, even though he did not attend.
Changes to the itinerary
Originally, popes also made stops at the nearby Hagia Sophia, once a pivotal cathedral in Christianity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, Leo decided to remove that visit from his schedule, especially after Turkey transitioned Hagia Sophia into a mosque in July 2020, a move that faced significant international backlash.
Post-mosque visit, Leo met privately with Turkish Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church in Mor Efrem and later prayed at the Patriarchal Church of St. George alongside Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual authority of the world Orthodox Church. Together, they recited a Doxology and committed to work towards unity, including identifying a common date for Easter.
The Great Schism of 1054 had separated the Eastern and Western Churches, created primarily by disputes over papal supremacy. While connections have improved, divisions still exist. In their joint statement, they expressed a shared desire to find solutions to celebrate Easter together annually.
Leo also highlighted the approaching anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion in 2033, encouraging a pilgrimage to Jerusalem aimed at achieving complete unity. His trip culminated in a Catholic Mass at Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena, attended by the local Catholic community of 33,000 amid a predominantly Sunni Muslim population exceeding 85 million.
Airbus software update and its impact
While Leo focused on fostering relationships with Orthodox Christians and Muslims, logistical issues on the tour arose. His ITA Airlines Airbus A320neo was affected by a global software update mandated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, prompted by concerns that coding issues might have led to a prior incident involving a JetBlue plane.
According to Matteo Bruni, the Vatican’s spokesperson, necessary updates were en route from Rome with technicians prepared to implement them. Leo is scheduled to depart Istanbul for Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday for the next phase of his inaugural trip as pope.
