Khaberni - The patriarch of the Catholic Church in Iraq and worldwide, Cardinal Louis Sako, announced his resignation from the presidency of the church after serving more than 13 years in office.
Sako stated in a press release: "He decided on the morning of March 9, 2026, to submit his resignation to Pope Leo XIV, who accepted it to be officially announced at noon on March 10."
He added that "he had been considering resigning since he reached the age of 75 two years ago, and had discussed the matter then with the late Pope Francis, who encouraged him to continue in the position," stressing that "no one asked me to do so, but I requested the resignation completely freely."
He explained that "he managed the Chaldean Church during extremely difficult circumstances and major challenges, ensuring during his years of service to maintain the unity of the church's institutions and defend the rights of Iraqis and Christians at home and abroad."
Sako hoped that the Chaldean Church in the next phase would be led by a patriarch with thought, theological culture, wisdom, the ability to dialogue, and openness, confirming that "he will respect the new leadership and will not interfere in its work."
He revealed that he does not own a house or car, and that his personal savings are limited to about 40 million Iraqi dinars, five thousand dollars, and five thousand euros from his salaries over 52 years of priestly service, in addition to his share from selling his family's house in Mosul, indicating that his real capital is represented in his service and the 45 books he has published.
Mar Louis Raphael I Sako, has been the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and the world since February 1, 2013, and is one of the most prominent Christian religious figures in Iraq.
He was born in the city of Zakho in 1948, and was ordained a priest in the Chaldean Diocese of Mosul in 1974, he received a doctoral degree from the Pontifical University in Rome in 1983, then earned a master's degree in Islamic Jurisprudence in 1984, before obtaining another doctorate from the Sorbonne University in France in 1986.
Sako was elected as a bishop for the Diocese of Kirkuk in 2002, and officially took up his duties the following year, before being elected as the Patriarch of the Chaldean Church during the Synod of the Church held in Rome in 2013, succeeding Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly.
In 2022, he was also appointed as a member of the Economic Council at the Vatican, and Sako holds several international decorations, including the Order of Defense of the Faith from Italy, in addition to his intellectual contributions through composing and publishing more than 200 articles and about 20 books on theology and religious thought.
