Celebrating Cardinal Sako’s Return to Baghdad

Pope Francis received Cardinal Louis Sako in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako has returned to Iraq after almost a year away from his patriarchal see in Baghdad. His return came after the country’s prime minister signed a decree reinstating the recognition of the cardinal as patriarch of the Chaldean Church, responsible for the church’s property and assets.

The cardinal had left Iraq and moved to a monastery in Iraqi Kurdistan in July 2023 following a crisis in diplomatic relations between the Patriarchate and Iraqi leaders.

Last year, the president of Iraq revoked the decree recognizing his ecclesiastical position among Iraq’s institutions. With his reinstatement, Cardinal Sako returned to the country and celebrated a Mass to express his gratitude. The local community as well as bishops, priests and nuns attended the Mass.

– The Catholic Weekly