• Pope Leo XIV visits Istanbul's Blue Mosque, marking his first papal visit to a Muslim site.
• The pontiff removed his shoes but opted not to pray during the visit, instead focusing on Christian unity.
• Leo's itinerary excluded a visit to the Hagia Sophia, recently converted back to a mosque.
• He engaged with Turkey's Christian leaders, stressing the importance of overcoming divisions.
• The pope's trip to Turkey aims to strengthen interfaith dialogue and relations.

Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul's iconic Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, on Saturday, continuing his four-day trip to Turkey. This marked the first time a pope entered a mosque, as he removed his shoes out of respect, although he did not pray, emphasizing a spirit of reflection and listening during the visit, according to Reuters.

During the visit, Pope Leo was accompanied by local Muslim leaders and took time to explore the mosque's intricate architecture, noting its soaring domes and ornate decorations. Although the Vatican had initially announced that the pope would observe a "brief moment of silent prayer," this plan was later revised, leading to confusion regarding his intentions during this significant visit, as highlighted by CBS News and India Times.

Askin Tunca, the mosque’s lead muezzin, indicated that he invited the pope to pray, saying, "It's not my house, not your house, (it's the) house of Allah," yet the pope declined. Instead, he preferred to experience the atmosphere of the mosque, which was constructed in the early 17th century and is a major cultural landmark in Istanbul, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Unlike his predecessors, Pope Leo did not include a visit to the Hagia Sophia, a historically significant site converted into a mosque in 2020, in his itinerary, marking a departure from papal tradition. This decision has drawn attention, particularly since the Hagia Sophia once served as a cathedral before its conversion. Many view this omission as a diplomatic stance in light of the recent controversies surrounding the site, as noted by Reuters and India Times.

In the afternoon following his visit to the mosque, Pope Leo met with Christian leaders in Turkey, reiterating the importance of unity among the faith communities. His discussions highlighted the significance of overcoming historical divisions, reflecting his commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue throughout his inaugural trip, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.