Pope Leo declined to pray inside the world-famous religious site, despite his aides believing he had done so, but did take off his shoes in a sign of respect inside the Muslim place of worship

Pope Leo today surprised Vatican officials with his conduct during a historic visit to Istanbul's Blue Mosque.

The American, who was making his first visit to a Muslim place of worship as the leader of the Catholic Church, removed his shoes in a sign of respect after being welcomed inside and was led on a tour of the expansive complex, in his white socks, by its imam and the mufti of Istanbul.

But he did not pray during the 20-minute visit, despite his aides having briefed the media he had. After the visit, part of Leo's first foreign trip as Pontiff, the Vatican press office released an official

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