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Gli, a cat who has lived in the for at least 13 years, became an international sensation especially popular among millions of tourists who visited the historic building which was recently converted into a mosque.

With a grey mane and green eyes, Gli's social media fan accounts have gained thousands of fans around the world. In 2009, former US President Barack Obama was filmed stroking him on a visit to Turkey.

Gli had been hospitalied and was receiving treatment for months before passing away.

"I am upset about losing Gli," Istanbul mayor Ali Yerlikaya wrote on twitter. 

"Hagia Sophia's cat Gli, who was being treated at a private veterinary clinic [Istanbul's] Levent [district] since September 24, unfortunately passed away due to her old age," Yerlikaya said.

Gli's official instagram account also posted the news, bidding a final farewell to the cat.

"Farewell to Gli, the famed feline of Hagia Sophia mosque. 
Gli's soft footsteps are now an a part of Hagia Sophia's history," the account, @HagiaSophiaCat wrote.

Thousands of residents and tourists who had met the famous cat were saddened by the news and flooded the post with comments recounting their encounters with the fluffy 'guardian' of Hagia Sophia.