Pope Leo visits Istanbul's Blue Mosque

It is the first time Leo has attended a Muslim place of worship since he took up the papacy in May.

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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.

The Vatican said in a statement Leo undertook the tour "in a spirit of reflection and listening, with deep respect for the place and for the faith of those who gather there in prayer".

The Pope is on a four-day trip to Turkey, after which he will visit Lebanon.

He was later welcomed to St George's Cathedral in Istanbul by the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew.