Resignation of Cardinal Sako as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church Accepted by Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako from his position as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church on March 10, 2026. The cardinal cited age as the reason for his decision, which he communicated through a message posted on the Chaldean Patriarchate’s official website. This marks a significant transition within the Chaldean Catholic Church, one of the Eastern Churches in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

The resignation of Cardinal Sako comes amid broader developments within the global Catholic Church. From September 25 to 28, 2026, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit France, a nation John Paul II once referred to as the “senior daughter of the Church.” France’s Catholic heritage is evident in its numerous places of worship and parishes, yet the country faces complex challenges, including a noted decline in religious participation alongside pockets of renewed vitality.

In Monterrey, Mexico, the local archdiocese has taken an innovative approach to ministry by converting a van into a traveling chapel. This mobile worship space brings the Eucharist to communities without access to traditional churches, as well as to hospitals, tourist areas, and regions affected by natural disasters. Such initiatives reflect the Church’s ongoing commitment to outreach and service.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Cardinal Blase Cupich, along with two congregations and a Catholic pharmacist, challenged a law in federal court. The law would require caregivers with moral objections to assisted suicide to participate indirectly once it took effect on September 12, 2026. This legal action underscores the Church’s stance on ethical and moral issues within healthcare and end-of-life care.

Conservative Cardinal Willem Eijk, 73, has been grappling with health issues. Following a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV, speculation arose about whether he would resign from his role as Archbishop of Utrecht. These developments highlight the personal and institutional challenges faced by church leaders in balancing health, duty, and leadership responsibilities.

On June 12, 2026, Pope Leo XIV also accepted the resignation of Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphile, the head of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, who had served for 27 years. At 77 years old, his departure marks another milestone in the leadership transitions within the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Patriarch Theophile III of the Assyrian Church of the East visited Washington, D.C., in June 2026, to meet with former President Donald Trump. The meeting focused on the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East, including a guided tour of Israel. This engagement illustrates the ongoing diplomatic efforts of church leaders to address the challenges facing Christian populations in the region.

These events reflect the dynamic and multifaceted nature of leadership within the global Church, as well as the diverse ways in which communities respond to spiritual, social, and political challenges. The Church continues to navigate these complexities with a focus on service, faith, and the well-being of its members.

Source: Read the original report (translated from French)