Pope Leo XIV has addressed questions surrounding his decision not to offer a prayer inside Istanbul’s Blue Mosque during his recent visit to Turkey, explaining that his personal preference is to pray in the presence of the Eucharist.
Speaking to reporters on December 10 in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope responded directly to criticism and speculation about the moment. When asked why he declined to pray in the mosque, Leo replied with a smile, “Who said that I didn’t pray? And perhaps I am praying even now,” according to LifeSiteNews. He then clarified his position more fully, stating, “In fact, I prefer to pray in a Catholic church, in the presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament,” as reported by LifeSiteNews.
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The Pope also noted that the reaction to his choice struck him as unusual, describing it as “curious,” according to the same report. His comments came after public attention focused on his conduct during the visit, which marked his first major international trip since becoming pope.
During the tour of the historic Blue Mosque, Pope Leo observed local customs by removing his shoes and walking through the space in white socks. However, when the imam, Askin Musa Tunca, invited him to say a silent prayer, the Pope declined, indicating that he preferred simply to visit the site, according to LifeSiteNews.
His decision differed from the actions of his immediate predecessors. Pope Benedict XVI paused for a moment of silent “recollection” during a 2006 visit, while Pope Francis participated in what he described as a “sincere prayer” alongside the mosque’s mufti during his 2014 trip, calling himself a “pilgrim,” according to LifeSiteNews.
Following Leo’s visit, Vatican officials issued a statement emphasizing that the Pope toured the mosque “in a spirit of reflection and listening, with deep respect for the place and for the faith of those who gather there in prayer,” according to LifeSiteNews. The statement appeared intended to reassure observers who viewed the Pope’s choice as a departure from recent practice.
Catholic teaching provides important context for the discussion. As LifeSiteNews notes, the Catechism of the Catholic Church permits private prayer in a non-Catholic place of worship but forbids participation in the liturgical or ritual prayer of another religion. The article further explains that clergy praying in another religion’s sacred space can cause scandal if it suggests that such a place holds the same spiritual significance as a Catholic church.
For Catholics, that significance is uniquely tied to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Pope Leo’s remarks underscored this belief, highlighting why he chooses to reserve his prayer for Catholic churches where the Blessed Sacrament is present, according to LifeSiteNews.
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