Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako from his position as Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad. The resignation was submitted according to the norms of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
In a letter explaining his decision, the Cardinal said he had already considered resigning two years ago when he turned 75. At that time, he had discussed the matter with Pope Francis, who encouraged him to continue serving for some more time.
The Cardinal recently decided to submit his resignation to the Pope so that he could spend more time in prayer, writing, and simple service to the Church. He clarified that the decision was completely voluntary and that no one forced him to step down.
During his years of leadership, the Cardinal said he guided the Chaldean Church through many difficult challenges. He worked to maintain unity within the Church and spoke out for the rights of Christians and all people in Iraq.
He described his 13 years of service in Baghdad as a time of pastoral care and dedication. He also thanked God for the support he received from family members, colleagues, and those who worked with him throughout his ministry.
The Cardinal also shared details about his personal life, saying he does not own a house or a car. His savings come from many years of priestly service. He said his true wealth is his service to the Church and the many books and articles he has written.
