Neglected Highlights of Pope Leo’s First Voyage, by Phil Lawler 

By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, Dec 03, 2025

 Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.

Three moments from the first voyage of Pope Leo XIV strike me as worthy of a second look.

First, the Pope’s choice not to join an Islamic cleric in prayer.

During a visit to the famous Blue Mosque, the Pope was unfailing respectful, and showed keen interest in the beauty of the mosque. But when his guide asked him whether he wanted to stop for a time of prayer, he replied—with his laconic Midwestern style—“That’s OK.”

It is not easy to interpret that polite demurral, and perhaps unwise to read too much into it. Quite likely the Pope had been praying quietly throughout his tour of the mosque. But it seems unlikely that the invitation to join in prayer caught him by surprise. Both Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI had joined with Islamic clerics in prayer when they visited the same mosque. In both cases there was no prayer spoken aloud; the Pontiffs stood in silence beside their hosts. But it was a public gesture, captured in photos. Pope Leo chose not to make that gesture. Interesting. …

Continue reading >>>>>>>>>>>