Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque on Saturday but didn't stop to pray, as he focused more on bolstering ties with Orthodox patriarchs and promoting courageous steps for Eastern and Western churches to be united.

It is the first time Leo has attended a Muslim place of worship since he took up the papacy in May.

Leo XIV is being closely watched on an inaugural trip to Turkey and Lebanon to spread a message of peace and outreach.

Pope Leo XIV has visited Istanbul's Blue Mosque on the third day of his trip to Turkey.

ISTANBUL (Nov 29): Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque early on Saturday on the third day of his trip to Turkey. It was the first time the American pope, elected in May as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, visited a Muslim place of worship since taking over from his late predecessor Francis.Read More

It was the first time he visited a Muslim place of worship since taking over from his late predecessor Francis. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque on Saturday but didn’t stop to pray, as he opened an intense day of meetings and liturgies with Turkey’s Christian leaders where he again emphasized the need for Christians to be united. Leo took his shoes off and, in his white sock,s toured […]

Pope Leo XIV has visited Istanbul’s Blue Mosque without praying there as he focused on strengthening ties with Orthodox patriarchs.