Pope Leo XIV clarifies his gesture at the Blue Mosque: «I prefer to pray in a Catholic church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.»

On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV responded from Castel Gandolfo to journalists« questions about one of the most talked-about moments of his recent trip to Turkey: his silence at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The gesture made many headlines, as the mosque's muezzin, Askin Musa Tunca, explained to the media that when he asked the Pope during the visit if he wanted to have a »moment of praise,« the Pope told him »no, he just wanted to visit.".

Since John Paul II and Benedict XVI did take a moment to pray during their visits to this place, Leo XIV's decision generated all kinds of comments. The Holy See Press Office responded by explaining that the Pope took «a pause in silence, in a spirit of recollection and listening, with deep respect for the place and for the faith of those who gather there in prayer.» Even so, a public discussion arose about why the Pontiff had not prayed «at least visibly,» something his predecessors had done as a notable interfaith gesture.

Before the Blessed Sacrament, the best place to pray

When asked directly by journalists why he did not pray «at least visibly,» as his predecessors had done, Leo XIV replied clearly: «Who said I didn't pray? That is, they said I didn't pray, but I already gave an answer on the plane; I mentioned a book.» It was about The practice of God's presence, by Carmelite Lorenzo de la Resurrección. In quoting this work, the Pope wanted to emphasize that prayer can be internal, constant, and not necessarily accompanied by external gestures. «I may even be praying right now,» he added to reporters.

The Pontiff added, however, that his personal preference is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament:
«I prefer to pray in a Catholic church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament,» he said, downplaying the controversy and describing the commotion caused by some interpretations of his visit to the mosque as «curious.».

León XIV's gesture in Istanbul, experienced in silence and contemplation, thus joins a long tradition of interreligious encounters that each Pontiff has expressed in his own style. With his statements, the Pope sought to close the debate, reaffirming that prayer is not always visibly manifested, but can be deeply present.

What is the book recommended by the Pope about?

The practice of God's presence It is a small classic of Christian spirituality, written based on the conversations and letters of Brother Lorenzo de la Resurrección, a Discalced Carmelite from the 17th century. Despite its brevity, the book teaches a very simple but demanding path: to live constantly in the presence of God, at any time and in any situation, not only during formal times of prayer. For Brother Lorenzo, God is not only in church or in moments of contemplation, but in everything we do: cooking, cleaning, walking, or dealing with other people.

The work is well known because it proposes a spirituality accessible to anyone, not just monks or contemplatives. Its style is direct, unadorned, and shows that holiness does not require great feats, but rather a heart that lives united to God in everyday life.