Turkey: Pope Francis Prays in Mosque to Show Commitment to Christian-Muslim Relations

ISTANBUL— Pope Francis further demonstrated his commitment to improving relations between Christians and Muslims on Saturday, as he prayed in Istanbul’s historic Blue Mosque and visited the Hagia Sophia—two powerful symbols of the Muslim and Christian faiths.
On the second of a three-day trip to Turkey, the pontiff removed his shoes before entering the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles embellishing its walls. After a tour of the cavernous 17th-century mosque, he stood alongside Istanbul Grand Mufti Rahmi Yaran, facing in the direction of Mecca, and bowed his head in long prayer.
The move was an important public demonstration of Pope Francis’ commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue.
Pontiff also said dialogue can help bring an “end to all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism.
Some locals welcomed Pope Francis. “It’s good that he came to a Muslim country,” said Ferit Ogulmus, a 54-year-old owner of a shop near the mosque, who said he was worried about the advance of Islamic extremist in neighboring countries. “We need more of these visits in these chaotic times.”
Hasan Bahadir, another shopkeeper, said he worried about growing Islamophobia in the West. “There is a slandering campaign against Muslims,” said the 63-year-old. “There is fear. They’re afraid of us trying to take over, while most of us are just trying to make a living.”