Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a historical mosque in Istanbul, Turkiye, dating back to the 17th century and renowned for its blue Iznik tiles. It is a significant religious and tourist site. The mosque is newsworthy due to Pope Leo XIV's visit in November 2025, marking his first visit to a Muslim place of worship since becoming Pope in May 2025. During his visit, Pope Leo toured the mosque, observing its architecture and inscriptions. While he bowed upon entering, he did not participate in prayer alongside the imam, focusing instead on fostering relations with Orthodox leaders and promoting church unity. The visit underscores the Blue Mosque's continued relevance as a symbol of interfaith dialogue and a prominent cultural landmark.