His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the Chaldean Catholic Church’s most senior cleric, has helped lead Iraqi Christians through profoundly challenging times including the rebuilding of the country after the US-led invasion and the extremist Islamic attacks that followed.

Born on July 4, 1948, in Zakho, Iraq, he completed his primary studies in Mosul and then attended the local Dominican-run Saint Jean’s Seminary. He was ordained priest on June 1, 1974, and served at the Cathedral of Mosul until 1979.

Sako pursued higher education in Rome, earning a doctorate in Eastern patrology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute, and later obtaining a doctorate in history from the Sorbonne in Paris. His academic achievements led to his appointment as rector of the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad from 1997 to 2002. Upon returning to Mosul he guided the parish of Perpetual Help until his election as Archbishop of Kerkūk in 2003.

His leadership skills and dedication to the Church were recognized when he was elected as Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans on January 31, 2013, during a Synod convened in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI.

Throughout his tenure, Cardinal Sako has faced numerous challenges, including the exodus of Christians from Iraq following the 2003 U.S. led invasion and the rise of extremist groups. He has been a vocal advocate for the rights and safety of Christians in Iraq, often speaking out against sectarian violence and political corruption.

Pope Francis elevated Patriarch Sako to the cardinalate in 2018.

One of the most notable events in his career was his instrumental role in organizing Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 emergency. The visit was seen as a significant moment of hope and unity for the country’s beleaguered Christian community.

Cardinal Sako has been vocal about the challenges faced by Christians in Iraq, including forced migration. He has expressed concern over the exodus of Christians from Iraq and has advocated for their rights and safety. His relocation in 2023 from Baghdad to the Kurdistan Region in protest against political decisions affecting the Church also highlights his active engagement with issues of displacement, marginalization, and migration affecting his community.

Cardinal Sako has taken a firm stance against blessing same-sex unions. In July 2024, he reaffirmed the Chaldean Catholic Church’s position, stating that they do not recognize same-sex unions as marriage and will not bless them “to preserve the sanctity of marriage.” He emphasized that for Chaldean Catholics, the blessing of marriage is a sacrament, not merely a blessing, and cannot be conferred on LGBT individuals.

The Chaldean Catholic Church, led by Cardinal Sako, allows for married priests. This is evident from the ordination of Father Amar Agag, a 38-year-old married man with three children, as a Chaldean Catholic priest in France in September 2024. Cardinal Sako presided over this ordination.

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako has expressed clear views on the liturgy, particularly regarding language use and adaptation to contemporary needs, particularly in terms of language. He therefore advocates the use of Arabic in the Chaldean Catholic Church’s liturgy, arguing that this is not a betrayal of tradition but rather a necessary adaptation to meet the needs of modern worshippers. He emphasizes that many Chaldeans no longer understand Syriac or Chaldean, making Arabic essential for comprehension.

The cardinal supports updating liturgical practices to make them more accessible and meaningful to contemporary believers. He sees this as part of the Church’s ongoing mission and in line with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. While advocating change, Cardinal Sako stresses that liturgical changes should remain within the framework of tradition. He distinguishes between essential elements of the Chaldean liturgy and artificial additions made over time.

Sako views the use of vernacular language in liturgy as part of the Church’s missionary vocation. He believes it allows for better proclamation of Christ’s salvation to people of the present time. The Iraqi patriarch describes the liturgy as “the strongest expression of the Church’s living faith” and not merely a “show.” He sees it as the work of Christ himself, calling believers to participate in the Paschal Mystery.

Cardinal Sako has had challenging interactions with Iraqi political figures. In 2023, he faced a significant crisis when Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a decree recognizing Sako as the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, leading to his decision to relocate from Baghdad to Erbil in the Iraq’s Kurdistan Region out of protest.

Sako has been in conflict with Rayan Al Kildani, leader of the Christian militia known as the Babylon Brigade. He accused Al Kildani of running a “deliberate and humiliating campaign” against him and of attempting to seize Church properties.

Despite these challenges, Cardinal Sako remains committed to his role and the welfare of Iraqi Christians. He has expressed his readiness to “give up [his] life for the Church” and continues to advocate for a civil and democratic regime in Iraq.

Linguistically versatile, Cardinal Sako is fluent in several languages. In addition to his native Arabic and Chaldean, he knows German and speaks French, English, and Italian.