How significant is the Pope's visit to the Sultanahmet mosque? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Interfaith Dialogue: The practice of communication and engagement between different religious groups.
• Christian Unity: The goal of bringing together different Christian denominations.
• Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): A historic mosque in Istanbul, known for its blue tiles.
• Hagia Sophia: A historic building in Istanbul with a complex religious and political history, formerly a church, then a mosque, then a museum, and recently reconverted into a mosque.
• Ecumenical Activities: Events and initiatives aimed at promoting unity among different Christian churches.
• Joint Declaration: A formal statement signed by leaders of different religious groups, often signifying agreement or a shared commitment.
• Eastern Orthodoxy: A major branch of Christianity, distinct from Roman Catholicism.
• Byzantine Empire: An Eastern Roman empire that existed from the 4th century to the 15th century.
• Ottoman Empire: A vast empire that ruled over parts of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa from the late 13th century to the early 20th century.

Pope Leo's Visit to Istanbul: Interfaith Dialogue and Christian Unity

Pope Leo's third day in Turkey was marked by significant engagements aimed at fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting Christian unity. His visit to Istanbul, the first foreign trip of his papacy, included a tour of the historic Blue Mosque and preparations for a joint declaration with the head of Eastern Orthodoxy.

Visit to the Blue Mosque

• Symbolic Gesture: Pope Leo visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, a prominent landmark in Istanbul. This visit is widely interpreted as a symbolic gesture towards Christian-Muslim dialogue.
• Accompaniment: He was accompanied by the mosque's imam and Turkey's tourism minister during the guided tour.
• Distinction from Predecessor: Notably, Pope Leo did not pause for a moment of silent prayer, a practice observed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, during his visit in 2014. The interpretation of this deviation was left to religious experts.
• Mosque Description: The Blue Mosque is renowned for its thousands of predominantly blue tiles, contributing to its name. It is a major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors daily.
• Security Measures: The Pope's visit necessitated heightened security, with additional barricades and roadblocks implemented.
• Public Reception: While the Pope's visit did not generate extensive attention among the majority Muslim population, some individuals expressed welcoming sentiments and hopes for peace. One interviewee stated, "A guest is always a guest. The Pope is visiting our country and he is welcome here." Another expressed a desire for the visit to "bring not only a good feeling but good measures to stop oppression all around the world, especially in the Middle East and especially in Palestine," emphasizing the possibility of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians as "brothers."

Significance of Hagia Sophia's Status

• Absence from Visit: Unlike his predecessors, Pope Leo did not plan to visit the Hagia Sophia.
• Historical Context: The Hagia Sophia, located opposite the Blue Mosque, has a complex history. It was built in the 6th century as a church during Byzantine times, converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, and then transformed into a museum in 1935.
• Reconversion to Mosque: In 2020, the Hagia Sophia was reconverted into a mosque by President Erdogan's administration. This decision was met with applause from religious supporters within Turkey but drew criticism internationally. Pope Francis had previously expressed his sadness over this decision.
• Papal Stance: The Pope's decision not to visit the Hagia Sophia is seen as a refusal to signal acceptance or normalization of its current status as a mosque.

Ecumenical Activities and Christian Unity

• Syriac Orthodox Church Visit: Pope Leo visited the Syriac Orthodox Church in Istanbul.
• Meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew: He was scheduled to meet again with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians.
• Joint Declaration: The two leaders were expected to sign a joint declaration, signaling efforts to foster reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, which have been divided for nearly 1,000 years.
• Public Mass: Later in the afternoon, Pope Leo was to celebrate a public Catholic mass at an event venue in Istanbul, with an expected attendance of around 4,000 Catholics and others. This is noted as a significant event, being the first time a pope has held a public mass in such a large venue in Turkey, a country with a small Christian population.

Future Leg of the Trip

• Lebanon: Following his engagements in Turkey, Pope Leo was scheduled to travel to Lebanon on Sunday for the second and final part of his trip.

Conclusion

Pope Leo's visit to Istanbul underscored his commitment to interfaith dialogue and Christian unity. His visit to the Blue Mosque served as a symbolic bridge between Christianity and Islam, while his planned joint declaration with Patriarch Bartholomew highlighted efforts to heal the historic schism within Christianity. The decision to bypass the Hagia Sophia reflects a nuanced approach to sensitive religious and political issues. The Pope's itinerary, culminating in a public mass, aimed to engage with the Christian community in Turkey and project a message of peace and reconciliation.