Pope removes shoes but doesn’t pray during respectful visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

Visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

By Joshua McElwee
Istanbul, November 29 (Reuters) — Pope Leo visited Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque on Saturday, taking off his shoes as a sign of respect in line with Islamic tradition. However, unlike some of his predecessors, he did not engage in a moment of prayer during the visit.

Symbolic gesture of respect

Accompanied by local religious officials, the Pope entered the historic site quietly and spent a short time observing its interior design and architecture. His gesture of removing his shoes reflected respect for the sacredness of the space, though the absence of a joint prayer underscored a different tone from previous interfaith gestures.

Interfaith significance

The visit formed part of a broader trip focused on strengthening dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and Islam, as well as emphasizing peace and mutual understanding among faiths. While brief, his presence at the mosque carried symbolic importance for improving Christian–Muslim relations.

“Every encounter of genuine respect between believers of different faiths helps promote peace,” said a Vatican spokesperson following the visit.

Historical background

The Blue Mosque, officially known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, has long stood as a key site for interfaith symbolism. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI both visited it in the past, with Benedict notably pausing in silent prayer beside an imam in 2006 — a moment that earned international attention.

Author’s summary: During his visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Pope Leo demonstrated respect by removing his shoes, emphasizing dialogue and peaceful coexistence without engaging in a shared prayer.

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Investing.com Investing.com — 2025-11-29

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