Cardinal Sako Returns to Baghdad Following Personal Invitation from Iraqi Prime Minister (Baghdad, Iraq)

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Archbishop of Baghdad and Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, has returned to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, after being absent from his patriarchal headquarters since July 2023. The cardinal had decided to withdraw from the city and stay in the priestly patriarchal monastery in the Kurdistan region following a government decision affecting the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Sako’s visit to Baghdad from 10 to 13 April came “at the personal invitation of the Iraqi Prime Minister,” Mohammed Shia’x27; Al Sudani, according to the official website of the Chaldean Patriarchate. Al Sudani commissioned a representative to welcome Sako to the Honor Hall at Baghdad International Airport. Together with Bishop Thomas Mirm, the Patriarch went to the Patriarchal Palace, where Bishop Shlimon Warduni and Bishop Basilios Yaldo welcomed him, accompanied by priests of the Archdiocese of Baghdad.

On Thursday morning, Al Sudani met with Cardinal Sako and his delegation to discuss the general situation in Iraq, especially issues related to “stability in the country,” according to the Prime Minister’s website. Al Sudani said he welcomed the resurgence of the Patriarch’s presence and influential role in Baghdad. He affirmed his government’s commitment to promote coexistence, fraternity and true citizenship in all segments of Iraqi society. Iraq’s prime minister also underlined the nation’s strength in diversity, highlighting the historic contributions of Iraqi Christians to the construction and strengthening of the state.

In his own statements, Cardinal Sako stressed the importance of the government taking greater steps to fulfil its duties towards the Iraqi people. He stressed the need to improve the lives of citizens and meet all their demands and needs, as well as to follow up on minority issues and guarantee their rights. The Chaldean Patriarchate invited the faithful to participate in a Divine Liturgy presided over by the Patriarch on 12 April.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)