Pope “hurt” by Hagia Sophia museum’s conversion into a mosque in Istanbul.
Pope “hurt” by Hagia Sophia museum’s conversion into a mosque in Istanbul.
Condemning the conversion of the Hagia Sophia museum Pope Francis deemed it disappointing.
On Sunday, Pope Francis became the latest religious leader to condemn Turkey’s decision to make Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia museum a mosque. Pope said he was hurt by Turkey’s decision and felt pained just to think about it. During his weekly blessing in St. Peter’s Square Pope said,” My thoughts go to Istanbul. I think of Santa Sophia and I am very pained.”
Hagia Sophia declared a mosque:
Following a court ruling which revoked the ancient monument’s status as a museum, Hagia Sophia was declared once again a mosque, and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said that the first prayers in the new mosque would be held on July 24.
Religious leaders condemn the move:
The Istanbul-based spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Patriarch Bartholomew called the conversion of the monument as disappointing and The World Council of Churches has urged Erdogan to reverse his decision. All over the world, religious leaders have condemned the move and have deemed it unfair on the people and supporters of a particular religion. The nearly 1500-year-old Hagia Sophia, once famous Christian cathedral (now a mosque), will remain open to Muslims, Christians and foreigners declared Erdogan.
Erdogan says criticism of the decision will be interpreted as an attack on Turkey’s independence:
Erdogan also criticized the criticism of the incident by the world religious leaders and said that Turkey had exercised its sovereign right in converting the cathedral into a mosque. Erdogan also highlighted that it was not kept as an exclusive place but even Christians & other religious believers were welcome to visit the new mosque. The Turkish leader said Turkey would interpret criticism of the move as an attack on its independence. UNESCO said its World Heritage Committee will review Hagia Sophia’s status and Greece also condemned the decision and the universal impact of the move.
