Pope Leo XIV paid a symbolic and respectful visit to Istanbul’s historic Sultan Ahmed Mosque — widely known as the Blue Mosque — on the third day of his official trip to Turkey.
This marks the first time the newly elected Pope, who assumed leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics in May following the passing of Pope Francis, has visited a Muslim place of worship.
The Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, features six minarets and a domed roof, while its interior is famously adorned with thousands of blue Iznik tiles.
In a gesture that drew significant attention, the Pope removed his shoes before entering the mosque, following the tradition observed by all visitors. The act was widely interpreted as a meaningful sign of respect toward Islamic customs.
By doing so, Leo XIV followed the precedent set by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 and Pope Francis in 2014, both of whom also visited the Blue Mosque during their pontificates.
“He wanted to see the mosque, to feel its atmosphere, and he was very pleased,” said Askin Tunca, the mosque’s muezzin, commenting on the Pope’s visit.
