Pope Leo XIV Issues Joint Peace Declaration After Istanbul Interfaith Visits
Istanbul, Turkey – November 29, 2024 – pope Leo XIV concluded a day of significant interfaith outreach in Istanbul today with teh signing of a joint declaration with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, emphasizing unity and peace. The Pope’s visit included unprecedented access to key religious sites, signaling a purposeful strategy of religious diplomacy.
The Pope’s journey began at dawn with a visit to the Sultanahmet Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, marking his first entry into a Muslim house of worship since his election. He then proceeded to mor Ephrem, the sole church constructed in Turkey as the nation’s founding, to meet with Syriac Orthodox representatives. These carefully chosen engagements,culminating in the joint declaration,underscore Leo XIV’s commitment to fostering dialog and collaboration between Christian denominations and with the Muslim community amidst rising global tensions and calls for interfaith understanding. The declaration itself contained no new policy announcements but served as a powerful symbolic gesture.
The Pope’s visit to the Blue Mosque was characterized by respectful observation of the historic building’s İznik ceramics,with no overt religious practice displayed. The meeting at Mor Ephrem highlighted the growing, though still fragile, religious diversity within Turkey. The joint statement with Patriarch Bartholomew, a leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, aims to reinforce shared values and a unified message of peace at a time when geopolitical conflicts and religious extremism pose significant challenges to global stability.The Vatican has indicated that this visit is part of a broader initiative to strengthen relationships with religious leaders worldwide and promote peaceful coexistence.
