Pope visits Istanbul's Blue Mosque at start of day of meetings with Turkey's religious leaders

Published: Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 8:22 am

Pope's Visit to Istanbul Highlights Interfaith Dialogue

Pope Leo XIV embarked on a day of meetings with religious leaders in Turkey, beginning with a visit to the Blue Mosque. The Pope toured the 17th-century mosque, accompanied by the head of Turkey's Diyanet religious affairs directorate. While the Vatican had indicated a brief period of silent prayer, the Pope did not pray, though he did experience the visit in silence. The imam of the mosque invited the Pope to pray, but the Pope declined, expressing a desire to experience the atmosphere of the mosque.

This visit followed a pattern set by previous popes, who have visited the mosque as a gesture of respect to Turkey's Muslim majority. The Pope removed his shoes and walked through the mosque in his socks.

The day's schedule included a private meeting with Turkey's Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem, followed by a prayer with the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, Patriarch Bartholomew, at the patriarchal church of Saint George. The day will conclude with a Catholic Mass in Istanbul for the country's small Catholic community.

The Pope's visit to Turkey also included a significant event in Iznik, where he prayed with Christian leaders at the site of the Council of Nicaea, marking its 1,700th anniversary. The Pope emphasized the importance of unity among Christians, particularly in a world facing numerous challenges. The Council of Nicaea, held in 325 A.D., produced the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith shared by many Christian denominations.

BNN's Perspective:

The Pope's visit to Turkey, particularly his interaction with both Muslim and Christian leaders, underscores the ongoing efforts to foster interfaith understanding and cooperation. While the absence of prayer in the mosque might be seen as a missed opportunity by some, the overall emphasis on dialogue and shared values is a positive step. The focus on the Nicene Creed highlights a common ground among different Christian denominations, which is crucial for promoting unity in a divided world.

Keywords: Pope, Istanbul, Blue Mosque, Turkey, Religious Leaders, Interfaith Dialogue, Council of Nicaea, Nicene Creed, Catholic, Orthodox, Christian, Muslim, Prayer, Vatican, Hagia Sophia

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