Pope prays with Turkish Muslim leader
ISTANBUL — Pope Francis stood facing east Saturday for two minutes of silent prayer in one of Turkey’s most important mosques, a gesture of Christian-Muslim understanding at a time when neighboring countries are experiencing violent Islamic assault on Christians and religious minority groups.
Francis prayed alongside the grand mufti of Istanbul, Rahmi Yaran, in the 17th-century Sultan Ahmet Mosque, shifting gears to religious concerns on the second day of his three-day visit to Turkey.
The Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi, called it a moment of “silent adoration.” Lombardi said Francis told the mufti twice that Christians and Muslims must “adore” God and not just praise and glorify him.
It was a different atmosphere from Francis’ first day in Turkey, when the simple and frugal pope was visibly uncomfortable with the pomp and protocol required of him. Francis on Saturday showed respect to Muslim leaders, celebrated Mass for Istanbul’s tiny Catholic community and met with the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians.