Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako Announces Resignation as Head of the Chaldean Church

AFP

Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako.

Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako announced on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, that the Pope has accepted his resignation as head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

In a statement, Sako said that two years ago, when he turned 75, he had considered resigning and had discussed the matter with the late Pope Francis, who encouraged him to remain in office. He added that on the morning of 9 March 2026 he freely decided to submit his resignation to Pope Leo XIV so that he could devote himself quietly to prayer, writing and simple service. The Pope accepted the resignation, and Sako requested that it be officially announced on 10 March at noon. He emphasised that no one had asked him to resign and that the decision was made entirely of his own will.

Sako stated that he had led the Church under extremely difficult circumstances and through major challenges. He said he worked to preserve the unity of its institutions and spared no effort in defending the Church and the rights of Iraqis and Christians, maintaining a presence and taking positions both domestically and internationally. He described his 13 years as Patriarch as a period marked by care, guidance and growth.

He expressed gratitude to God for the love he has received and thanked his family and those with whom he served during his clerical life — as a priest in Mosul, a bishop in Kirkuk and a patriarch in Baghdad. He also extended special thanks to his assistants, Bishop Basilius Yaldo and secretary Ikhlas Maqdisi, as well as the priests of Baghdad and the staff of the Patriarchate, noting that he would remember them in his prayers. He also apologised to anyone he might have wronged.

Sako expressed hope that the leadership of the Church in these difficult times would be entrusted to a patriarch with sound judgement, strong theological knowledge, courage and wisdom, who believes in renewal, openness and dialogue and possesses a sense of humour. He said he would respect his successor and would not interfere in his work, adding that he trusts God will watch over His Church.

Concluding his statement, Sako said he had written his will when he was a priest and had updated it several times. He said he possesses about 40 million Iraqi dinars, 5,000 US dollars and 5,000 euros from his salaries during 52 years of priestly service, in addition to a share from the sale of his family home in Mosul. He said he does not own a house or a car, noting that his true wealth lies in his service and the 45 books he has published. He concluded by asking people to remember him in their prayers.



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