Cardinal Sako resigns: 'I will continue to pray for the Chaldean Church and Iraqi Christians'
Yesterday, the Chaldean primate submitted his resignation to Pope Leo. The decision was made official today in a statement from the Vatican Press Office. In his message, the cardinal remembered that he “led the Chaldean Church under extremely difficult circumstances and amid great challenges.” Also today, the Metropolitan of Lahore and the Apostolic Vicar of Quetta were appointed in Pakistan, with the two outgoing prelates exchanging sees.
Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans, has announced his resignation, which was accepted by Pope Leo XIV and made official today in the Daily Bulletin of the Vatican Press Office.
In his message sent to AsiaNews, Cardinal Sako said that he “will continue to pray for the Chaldean Church and for Iraqi Christians," defending them and fighting to preserve their presence in the country and throughout the Middle East, the land of Jesus.
After he became patriarch in January 2013 (here is his first interview with AsiaNews after the election of the Chaldean Synod) and was elevated to the rank of cardinal on 29 June 2018, he has forcefully defended Iraq and Christians over the years from the many upheavals that stained his country with blood, from the rise of the Islamic State in the summer of 2014 and internal disputes with some rebel bishops to attempts at unity within the Eastern Churches to dialogue with the Muslim world, up to the very bitter clash with Iraq’s president in 2023, which prompted him to move the patriarchal see from Baghdad for a few months.
One of the most intense moments of his tenure was Pope Francis's apostolic journey in early March 2021, the first time a Roman pontiff travelled to the land of Abraham.
Today the Vatican Press Office also reported two Church appointments in Pakistan, effectively an exchange of sees between two prelates: Bishop Khalid Rehmat, O.F.M. Cap., currently Apostolic Vicar of Quetta, becomes Metropolitan Archbishop of Lahore. Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, O.F.M., currently Metropolitan of Lahore, becomes Apostolic Vicar of Quetta.
Below is the full message from Cardinal Sako:
Two years ago, when I turned 75, I began thinking about submitting my resignation, and I had already discussed it with the late Pope Francis, but he encouraged me to remain. Yesterday morning, March 9, 2026, I decided, in full freedom, to submit it to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, so that I may quietly dedicate myself to prayer, writing, and simple service. He accepted it, and I requested that it be officially announced today at noon, March 10.
To prevent any misinterpretation, I confirm that no one forced me to do this; rather, I requested the resignation of my own will.
I led the Chaldean Church under extremely difficult circumstances and amid great challenges. I preserved the unity of its institutions and spared no effort in defending it and the rights of Iraqis and Christians, taking positions and maintaining a presence both inside and outside the country. My 13 years as Patriarch were years of loving pastoral care, follow-up, and growing up.
I thank God for the grace of love that He bestowed upon me, granting me love in the eyes of many and blessing me with beautiful moments. I also extend special thanks to my family and to those with whom I lived as a priest in Mosul, a bishop in Kirkuk, and a patriarch in Baghdad. They were truly my real family, and I am grateful to them.
I would like to especially thank my assistants, His Excellency Bishop Basilios Yaldo, Secretary Ikhlas Maqdasi, the priests of Baghdad, and the staff of the Patriarchate. I will not forget them in my prayers. I also sincerely apologize to anyone whom I may have offended.
In these difficult times, I hope that the leadership of the Chaldean Catholic Church will be entrusted to a patriarch who possesses solid theological culture, courage, and wisdom—someone who believes in renewal, openness, and dialogue, and who also has a sense of humour. I will respect him and never interfere in his work
I am confident that God will take care of His Church.
I wrote my testament when I was still a priest and have renewed it several times. I own about forty million Iraqi dinars, five thousand US dollars, and five thousand euros from my salaries during 52 years of priestly service, in addition to another sum which is my share from the sale of my family home in Mosul. I do not own a house or a car, but my true wealth is my devoted service and the 45 books and many articles I have published.
Remember me in your prayers.
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