Look at this spectacular panoramic view of the center of Istanbul. In a square, face to face, stand two of the most important places for Christians and Muslims: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
During his visit to Turkey, the Pope had not planned to go to Hagia Sophia, possibly as a gesture of prudence stemming from its history of being reconverted from a Christian temple to a Muslim one in 2020.
He did, however, visit the Blue Mosque. There, he spent about half an hour. However, unlike Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, Pope Leo refused to pray inside the mosque.
Although it was scheduled on his agenda, the Pope declined the invitation when it was offered to him and preferred to continue on with the tour. What he did do was remove his shoes before entering the place of worship as a sign of respect.
According to the Holy See, the Pope visited the mosque in silence and in an atmosphere of reflection and attentiveness, showing deep respect for the place and for the faith practiced there.
The nickname “Blue” comes from the more than 20,000 turquoise tiles that cover the imposing dome and stained-glass windows, causing the light that enters the space to take on that bluish hue that makes it unique.
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