Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Cardinal Louis Sako, the Iraq-based Chaldean Catholic patriarch of Baghdad, ending his 13-year tenure as head of Iraq's largest Christian denomination, the Vatican said.
The canonical regulations for the resignation of patriarchs
According to a statement issued March 10 by the Vatican press office, Cardinal Sako's resignation was accepted in virtue of canon 126, paragraph 2, of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, which regulates the resignation of patriarchs.
The canon states that the synod of bishops of the patriarchal church is responsible for accepting the resignation of a patriarch after consultation with the pope, «unless the patriarch addresses the Roman Pontiff directly.».
A freely made decision
In a separate statement issued by the Chaldean Patriarchate, Cardinal Sako stated that, after turning 75 in 2024, he had discussed his resignation with Pope Francis. However, the late pontiff «encouraged me to remain.».
The cardinal affirmed that he decided «in complete freedom» to present his resignation on March 9 to Pope Leo XIV «so that I could dedicate myself peacefully to prayer, writing and simple service».
«He accepted it, and I requested that it be officially announced today, March 10, at noon,» Cardinal Sako said. «To avoid any misinterpretation, I confirm that no one forced me to do so; rather, I requested the resignation of my own free will.».
13 years at the head of the Chaldean Church
In his statement, the cardinal highlighted his 13 years as Chaldean patriarch as «years of loving pastoral care, follow-up and growth» amid «extremely difficult circumstances» and «great challenges» for Christians in Iraq and the Middle East in general.
After thanking God, the faithful of Baghdad, as well as the bishops, priests and staff of the Chaldean Patriarchate, the cardinal affirmed that «I will not forget them in my prayers» and apologized «to anyone whom I may have offended.».
Acknowledging the difficult circumstances in the Middle East following the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, Cardinal Sako expressed his hope that the next patriarch will possess «a solid theological culture, courage and wisdom; someone who believes in renewal, openness and dialogue, and who also has a sense of humor.».
«I will respect him and never interfere in his work,» he wrote. «I trust that God will take care of his Church.».
Farewell message
Cardinal Sako concluded his statement in an unusual manner by detailing his current net worth.
According to the prelate, his financial assets that he has included in his will include 40 million Iraqi dinars ($30,520.77), $5,000 and 5,000 euros ($5,823.72) «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 have no house or car, but my real wealth is my devoted service and the 45 books and numerous articles I have published . Remember me in your prayers,» he wrote.
Pastoral trajectory and promotion in the Church
Born in Zakho, Iraq, on July 4, 1948, Cardinal Sako studied in Mosul and was ordained a priest in 1974.
After continuing his studies abroad, he returned to Iraq in 1986 and served as pastor in Mosul for 11 years. He was also rector of the Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad from 1997 to 2002.
He was appointed archbishop of Kirkuk in 2003, eight months after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. He was elected to lead the Chaldean Church in 2013 and five years later was named a cardinal by Pope Francis.
Recent conflicts within the Chaldean Church
In recent years, the Chaldean patriarch faced several internal challenges. In July 2023, he left Baghdad after Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a decree formally recognizing the cardinal as Chaldean patriarch in the country and his authority to administer the Chaldean religious endowment.
Cardinal Sako and local Iraqi media considered it an attempt to usurp the patriarch's position as head of the Chaldean Church, allegedly instigated by Rayan al-Kildani, head of the Babylon Brigades, a Chaldean Catholic militia with close ties to Iran.
After staying in Erbil for almost a year, he returned to Baghdad in 2024 after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani confirmed Cardinal Sako's status as Patriarch of the Chaldeans in Iraq and the world.
However, another problem arose when he presided over the Synod of the Chaldean Church from July 15-19.
The absence of five bishops - Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil, Bishop Paul Thabet of Alquoch, Bishop Azad Sabri Shaba of Dohuk, Chaldean Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona of Sydney and Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna, apostolic visitator for Catholics Chaldeans in Europe - was noted by the cardinal, who hinted that the bishops «had a hand in withdrawing the presidential decree» to «pressure me to resign to seek succession.».
Subsequently, the patriarchate issued another statement saying that the revocation of the decree in 2023 «suggested to some that it was the end and made their mouths water,» directly accusing Archbishop Warda of rallying clergy support for the cardinal's removal.
In a message sent to OSV News in September 2024, Archbishop Warda said that the tensions between him and Cardinal Sako were due to misunderstandings and denied allegations that he was working against the patriarch.
«I categorically reject the allegations of corruption ... and will continue to address this issue through the relevant ecclesiastical channels,» he said.
Difficulties in the Diaspora and the case of the Bishop of San Diego
The announcement of Cardinal Sako's resignation also comes at a time when the Chaldean Catholic Church faces difficulties in its global diaspora.
In the same bulletin announcement, the Vatican said Pope Leo had also accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego.
Bishop Shaleta was arrested at San Diego International Airport on March 5. California authorities charged him with multiple counts, including embezzlement and money laundering, and one count of «aggravated white collar crime enhancement.».
In a March 8 statement addressed to the Chaldean diocese, Cardinal Sako urged the faithful «not to allow division and discord, nor give place to voices that lurk to attack our Church» and to allow «legal proceedings to take their course to reveal the truth and uphold justice.».
«I assure you that I am on the side of justice and that is why I am in communication with the Holy See, hoping that appropriate measures will soon be taken for the good of the diocese,» he said.
Español 
English 
Italiano