Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s renowned Blue Mosque on Saturday, continuing a tradition of high-profile papal visits to the historic site in respect for Turkey’s Muslim community.
During the visit, officials from Turkey’s Diyanet religious affairs directorate guided Leo through the mosque, pointing out its soaring domes and intricate Arabic inscriptions, while the pope listened attentively.
As is customary for visitors, Leo removed his shoes before stepping onto the mosque’s burnt-orange carpets, wearing white socks—a gesture that, while not required, may have playfully reflected his support for the Chicago White Sox.
He spent roughly 15 minutes inside the mosque, accompanied by Muslim dignitaries, as a crow circled the vast domes overhead, according to an AFP reporter traveling with the delegation.
“He wanted to see the mosque, to experience its atmosphere, and he was very pleased,” said Askin Tunca, the mosque’s muezzin who calls the faithful to prayer.
Leo XIV, elected in May as the first American pope, leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. The Blue Mosque remains one of Istanbul’s most visited landmarks, famous for its six minarets, cascading domes, and interiors adorned with vibrant blue Iznik tiles.
