Pope Leo XIV visits Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet Mosque

Pope Leo XIV visited the historic Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul on Saturday, marking a significant interfaith moment during his official visit to Türkiye. The pontiff, accompanied by his Vatican delegation, toured the renowned Ottoman-era mosque, which holds distinction as the first Ottoman mosque constructed with six minarets, an architectural feature of considerable importance in Islamic tradition.

Official Welcome and Guided Tour

The Pope was welcomed by Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Istanbul Mufti Emrullah Tuncel, along with mosque administrative staff. During the visit, muezzin Asgın Musa Tunca provided the pontiff with detailed information about the mosque's distinctive architecture and its historical significance within both Ottoman heritage and contemporary Turkish society.

Architectural and Historical Significance

The Sultanahmet Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque for its extensive blue tile work, represents one of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks. Completed in 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque stands as a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and continues to function as both an active place of worship and a major tourist attraction in Türkiye's cultural capital.

Interfaith Dialogue Context

The mosque visit forms part of the Pope's broader engagement with Türkiye's religious and cultural heritage during his multi-day visit. Such interfaith gestures have become customary during papal visits to predominantly Muslim nations, serving as symbolic demonstrations of mutual respect and dialogue between the Catholic Church and Islamic communities worldwide.