Pope Leo XIV’s recent visit to Turkey marks his inaugural overseas trip as the first American pope, echoing past papal visits to foster relations with Turkey’s Muslim majority. During a visit to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the pope chose not to pray despite an invitation from the imam, who emphasized that the mosque is “the house of Allah.” Following this, Leo met with Turkish Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church and participated in a prayer session at the Patriarchal Church of St. George, aiming to reinforce unity among Christian denominations.
The pope’s itinerary notably excluded a visit to Hagia Sophia, previously a significant Christian cathedral and now a mosque, in light of Turkey’s controversial decision to convert it back in 2020. His trip is intended to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a pivotal event in Christian history.
Leo’s visit is set against the backdrop of heightened security in Lebanon, where he will continue his journey. The Vatican is addressing logistical challenges concerning his transportation, as updates were required for his plane. Throughout the trip, Leo aims to promote peace in the Middle East and strengthen interfaith dialogue.
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