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Polybius

(21,274 posts) Sun Nov 30, 2025, 01:28 AM Sunday

Pope removes shoes but doesn't pray on visit to Istanbul's Blue Mosque [View all]

Source: Reuters

ISTANBUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Pope Leo visited Istanbul's Blue Mosque on Saturday, removing his shoes in a sign of respect but not appearing to pray in his first visit as leader of the Catholic Church to a Muslim place of worship during his four-day visit to Turkey.

The first U.S. pope bowed slightly before entering the mosque and was led on a tour of the expansive complex, able to hold 10,000 worshippers, by its imam and the mufti of Istanbul.

Leo, walking in white socks, smiled during the 20-minute visit and joked with one of his guides, the mosque's lead muezzin - the official who leads the daily calls to prayer.

The Vatican appeared surprised that Leo had not stopped to pray during the visit and that he had not been welcomed to the mosque by the head of Turkey's state-run religious organisation, known as the diyanet, as had been planned.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/pope-removes-shoes-doesnt-pray-visit-istanbuls-blue-mosque-2025-11-29/

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Pope removes shoes but doesn't pray on visit to Istanbul's Blue Mosque [View all] Polybius Sunday OP

Why would the pope pray at a mosque? RandySF Sunday #1

His precedessors did, and the Vatican press release had expected him to muriel_volestrangler Sunday #5

Only in recent years Polybius Sunday #14

It said he wasn't invited to pray IbogaProject Sunday #17

" he asked Leo during the tour if he wished to pray for a moment, but the pope said he preferred to just visit" muriel_volestrangler Sunday #22

It may have had something to do with the way that the invitation was extended. lapucelle Sunday #26

I was hoping that he just didn't want to do it n/t Polybius Tuesday #38

Because Christians, Muslims and Jews all pray to the God of Abraham TexasBushwhacker Tuesday #39

It was simply a gesture of love and respect... ananda Sunday #2

When I was escorted into a mosque Zackzzzz Sunday #3

what i did not know : shoes of the fisherman rampartd Sunday #4

I think Peter DID fish in Louisiana. COL Mustard Sunday #9

"Not appearing to pray..." Mike Nelson Sunday #6

In the early 2000s I took off my shoes in the Blue Mosque truthisfreedom Sunday #7

The only time I've been in a mosque, I didn't pray either MurrayDelph Sunday #11

The more interesting part for me was the diyanet did not meet with him. Joinfortmill Sunday #8

Being an atheist makes all of this senseless. kellytore Sunday #10

But you couldn't help but put your two cents in. Martin68 Sunday #13

My two cents are in too. We are up to four. Believers are upset when confronted but non-believers are cast as being odd. twodogsbarking Sunday #16

Surprise, I'm an atheist too. Martin68 Sunday #32

I have learned to not try and explain what I do not understand. Atheist seems to be a religious label. twodogsbarking Sunday #34

My statement was a little more that what you wrote, but that's okay I'll forgive you. kellytore Monday #36

All a big to do about nothing? paleotn Sunday #29

Cents and sensibility. Beartracks Sunday #30

Why wouldn't the Pope pray during a visit to a mosque? Martin68 Sunday #12

Maybe he thought a Catholic praying in a mosque would have been sacrilegious jmowreader Sunday #31

If the Pope is his god's representative, then he can pray wherever he happens to be. If a mosque somehow magically Martin68 Sunday #33

This message was self-deleted by its author kellytore Monday #37

Religions sure have nice buildings. twodogsbarking Sunday #15

So do many museums, the Red Cross and both political parties. What's your point? Wonder Why Sunday #18

Religions have nice buildings. They really are. twodogsbarking Sunday #19

You're right. That's why they put them on Christmas cards! Wonder Why Sunday #23

Yep, they're built for humans within them to feel the glory of God. ancianita Sunday #25

Since he wasn't invited to (by the person who didn't come) maybe it would have been pnwmom Sunday #20

Beat me to it. My thoughts as well. paleotn Sunday #28

I don't buy that. They both believe in one god, and they both believe on prayer. Martin68 Sunday #35

I don't think they expect Christians and Jews to join in the prayers when they visit Warpy Sunday #21

Neither did I! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #24

I interpret this as the Pope sending a message blue-wave Sunday #27