Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, who has a very strong relationship with the Kurdish leadership, on Tuesday announced that he had submitted his resignation.

“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,” Patriarchate Media published.

“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.

“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,” he concluded.

On June 22, 2024, Cardinal Sako published a letter extending his thanks and appreciation to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leadership, praising President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in particular for their support after his decree was removed by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid.

On July 3, 2023, Iraqi President Rashid revoked a decree recognizing Cardinal Sako as the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Moreover, on November 14 of that year, the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq rejected a complaint by the Patriarch against the decision.

On June 5, 2024, after pressure from the Kurdish leadership and the United States, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani reinstated Cardinal Sako as the patriarch of the Chaldean Catholics in Iraq and the World.