Pope Leo XIV Visits Istanbul’s Blue Mosque In landmark First

Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s Blue Mosque on Saturday, marking his first visit to a Muslim place of worship since becoming head of the Catholic Church in May.

The mosque, a major tourist attraction with six minarets and an interior lined with blue Iznik tiles, was opened to the pope for a 15-minute tour led by Muslim dignitaries.

Leo’s visit follows similar gestures by his predecessors, Benedict XVI in 2006 and Francis in 2014. He removed his shoes before entering and walked on the mosque’s carpet in white socks.

Outside, tourists and locals gathered behind barriers. “The pope’s travels are always very beautiful because he brings peace with him,” said Roberta Ribola, a tourist from Italy. Sedat Kezer, a street food vendor, added: “It’s good that people from different cultures meet, especially as foreigners are riddled with Islamophobia.”