Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako

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Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako (second from left), patriarch of the Chaldean Church, returned to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, after being absent from his patriarchal seat since July 2023. Along with Bishop Thomas Mirm (right), the patriarch made his way to the Patriarchal Palace, where Bishops Shlimon Warduni (not pictured) and Basilios Yaldo (left) welcomed him, joined by priests from Baghdad's archdiocese.

Cardinal Sako returns to Baghdad at invitation of Iraqi prime minister

Apr 15, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Church, returned to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, after being absent from... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako speaks with Rody Sher of ACI MENA.

Chaldean patriarch urges preservation of rights for Iraq’s diverse communities

Mar 12, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

As the 21st anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime approaches, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako has called for a... Read more

The Christian community in Qaraqosh, in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains, was devastated last week after a fire broke out at a Syriac Catholic wedding celebration.

Pope Francis sends telegram to Iraqi Christian community after tragic wedding fire

Oct 2, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

An Iraqi Christian community in Qaraqosh, northern Iraq, was devastated by a massive fire at a crowded wedding reception that... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican at his general audience on Sept. 13, 2023.

Controversial Iraqi Christian didn’t meet with Pope Francis privately, Vatican confirms

Sep 13, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

On social media Sept. 7, Al-Kildani shared photos and videos that seemed, at least to some observers, to imply that... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako

Iraq’s president revokes recognition of Catholic leader 

Jul 17, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, announced Saturday that he is withdrawing from his seat in Baghdad. Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako

Iraqi government must support Christians, Chaldean Catholic patriarch says

Dec 2, 2022

By ACI MENA

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Cardinal Louis Sako warned that if the government doesn’t change its policies it could spell the end... Read more

An Iraqi woman holding a rosary.

Iraqi Christians face uncertain future after eviction from ‘Virgin Mary compound’ in Baghdad

Oct 19, 2022

By Rody Sher, Charlotte Evans

The Chaldean patriarch and an auxiliary bishop of Baghdad recently visited the Baghdad compound in an effort to find alternative... Read more

Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, special envoy of the King of Bahrain, meets Pope Francis.

Why Pope Francis wants to visit this Islamic monarchy

Sep 21, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Three intertwined stories set the stage for a possible papal trip to the Kingdom of Bahrain in November this year. Read more

Iraqi Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 7, 2021.

Cardinal Sako says Pope Francis’ historic visit changed Iraq

Sep 7, 2021

By CNA Staff

He said that after the papal visit, ‘something has changed in the streets.’ Read more

Pope Francis blesses a young boy in the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bakhdida, Iraq, on March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Iraqi cardinal: Pope Francis gave $350,000 for poor during Iraq trip

Mar 31, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

A cardinal has revealed that Pope Francis gave a donation of $350,000 to the Chaldean Catholic Church during his recent... Read more

Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako speaks at an Aid to the Church in Need press conference in Rome, Sept. 28, 2017. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal calls for 3-day ‘Nineveh fast’ for return to peace and stability in Iraq

Jan 26, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Chaldean Catholics in Iraq are undertaking a three-day “Nineveh fast” this week to pray for peace and security in their... Read more

Iraqi protesters run from tear gas fired by security forces at Baghdad's Khallani square during ongoing anti-government demonstrations, Nov. 12, 2019.

Chaldean patriarch calls for fasting, prayer amid Iraq protests

Nov 12, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The Chaldean patriarch has called for three days of fasting and prayer “for an end to the chaos and violence... Read more