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muriel_volestrangler

(106,005 posts)

5. His precedessors did, and the Vatican press release had expected him to

Sun Nov 30, 2025, 05:53 AM

Nov 2025

From the BBC report:

The Pontiff was seen bowing as he entered the building, but it is reported he did not pray at the mosque, as his two predecessors had done.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gp917zr8no

From Reuters:

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.

About three hours after the visit, the Vatican released a press statement saying both the prayer and the welcome had occurred, although they had not. The Vatican press office said the release had been sent in error.

Askin Musa Tunca, the muezzin, told journalists after the mosque visit that he asked Leo during the tour if he wished to pray for a moment, but the pope said he preferred to just visit the mosque.

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Highlight:

Pope removes shoes but doesn't pray on visit to Istanbul's Blue Mosque [View all] Polybius Nov 2025 OP

Why would the pope pray at a mosque? RandySF Nov 2025 #1

His precedessors did, and the Vatican press release had expected him to muriel_volestrangler Nov 2025 #5

Only in recent years Polybius Nov 2025 #14

It said he wasn't invited to pray IbogaProject Nov 2025 #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 Nov 2025 #22

It may have had something to do with the way that the invitation was extended. lapucelle Nov 2025 #26

I was hoping that he just didn't want to do it n/t Polybius Dec 2025 #38

Because Christians, Muslims and Jews all pray to the God of Abraham TexasBushwhacker Dec 2025 #39

It was simply a gesture of love and respect... ananda Nov 2025 #2

When I was escorted into a mosque Zackzzzz Nov 2025 #3

what i did not know : shoes of the fisherman rampartd Nov 2025 #4

I think Peter DID fish in Louisiana. COL Mustard Nov 2025 #9

"Not appearing to pray..." Mike Nelson Nov 2025 #6

In the early 2000s I took off my shoes in the Blue Mosque truthisfreedom Nov 2025 #7

The only time I've been in a mosque, I didn't pray either MurrayDelph Nov 2025 #11

The more interesting part for me was the diyanet did not meet with him. Joinfortmill Nov 2025 #8

Being an atheist makes all of this senseless. kellytore Nov 2025 #10

But you couldn't help but put your two cents in. Martin68 Nov 2025 #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 Nov 2025 #16

Surprise, I'm an atheist too. Martin68 Nov 2025 #32

I have learned to not try and explain what I do not understand. Atheist seems to be a religious label. twodogsbarking Nov 2025 #34

My statement was a little more that what you wrote, but that's okay I'll forgive you. kellytore Dec 2025 #36

All a big to do about nothing? paleotn Nov 2025 #29

Cents and sensibility. Beartracks Nov 2025 #30

Why wouldn't the Pope pray during a visit to a mosque? Martin68 Nov 2025 #12

Maybe he thought a Catholic praying in a mosque would have been sacrilegious jmowreader Nov 2025 #31

If the Pope is his god's representative, then he can pray wherever he happens to be. If a mosque somehow magically Martin68 Nov 2025 #33

This message was self-deleted by its author kellytore Dec 2025 #37

Religions sure have nice buildings. twodogsbarking Nov 2025 #15

So do many museums, the Red Cross and both political parties. What's your point? Wonder Why Nov 2025 #18

Religions have nice buildings. They really are. twodogsbarking Nov 2025 #19

You're right. That's why they put them on Christmas cards! Wonder Why Nov 2025 #23

Yep, they're built for humans within them to feel the glory of God. ancianita Nov 2025 #25

Since he wasn't invited to (by the person who didn't come) maybe it would have been pnwmom Nov 2025 #20

Beat me to it. My thoughts as well. paleotn Nov 2025 #28

I don't buy that. They both believe in one god, and they both believe on prayer. Martin68 Nov 2025 #35

I don't think they expect Christians and Jews to join in the prayers when they visit Warpy Nov 2025 #21

Neither did I! Floyd R. Turbo Nov 2025 #24

I interpret this as the Pope sending a message blue-wave Nov 2025 #27