Starting off his third day in Türkiye on his first Apostolic Journey abroad, Pope Leo XIV visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the “Blue Mosque.”

The more than 21,000 turquoise ceramic tiles that line the walls of the building gave rise to its nickname.

One of the most important in Istanbul, this mosque was completed in 1617 by Sultan Ahmed I on part of the site of the Great Palace of Constantinople.

The goal was for this mosque to become the most significant place of worship in the Ottoman Empire. Eight volumes, now preserved in the Topkapi Library, documented the construction of the mosque.

Arriving at the mosque on Saturday morning, Pope Leo was welcomed by the President of Religious Affairs, Safi Arpaguş. This was Pope's Leo's first visit as Pope to a Muslim place of worship.

Pope Leo has various meetings and visits scheduled throughout the day. Following the visit to the Blue Mosque, he will hold a private meeting with leaders of the local Churches and Christian communities at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem.

Afterwards, in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, the Holy Father will join in the Doxology together with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople.