The Pope has visited Istanbul's Blue Mosque during a day spent meeting both Muslim and Christian leaders.

Pope Leo joined the imam at the 17th-century Ottoman-era mosque, officially called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

The trip marked part of the third day of his first overseas visit as head of the Catholic Church. From Turkey , he will travel to Lebanon on Sunday.

After the mosque visit, Leo held a private meeting with Turkey's Christian leaders at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Ephrem.

Image: Pics: AP

While the Vatican had said Leo would observe a "brief minute of silent prayer" at the Blue Mosque, the imam said the Pope declined.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Asgin Tunca said he had told the Pope: "It's not my house, not your house, (it's the) house of Allah

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