Louis Raphaël I Sako
Stored: Louis Raphaël I Sako
| His Beatitude and Eminence Louis Raphaël I Sako | |
| Bishop of Chaldean Patriarchate of Babylon | |
| Home diocese: | Eparchy of Zakho |
| Other diocese 1: | Archdiocese of Kirkuk |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 1 June 1974 by Archbishop Youhannan Semaan Issayi |
| Consecration: | 14 November 2002 by Patriarch Raphaël I Bidawid |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 June 2018 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Louis Sako 4 July 1948 Zakho, Iraq |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Iraq |
| Education: | Pontifical Oriental Institute |
| Motto: | "Authenticitas et caritas" |
| Role: | Patriarch |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Middle East |
| Rite: | Chaldean |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, born July 4, 1948, is an Iraqi prelate and the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans since 2013, leading the Chaldean Catholic Church, one of the largest Eastern Catholic communities in communion with Rome. Ordained a priest in 1974 and consecrated a bishop in 2002, he was elevated to cardinal in 2018 by Pope Francis. Known for his moderate theology and tireless advocacy for Iraq’s persecuted Christians, reflected in his motto "Authenticitas et caritas" ("Authenticity and charity"), Sako has navigated wars, sectarian violence, and political crises, including a 2023–2024 exile in Erbil after a dispute with Iraq’s president. Eligible to vote in the 2025 papal conclave following Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025, Sako’s global ecumenical efforts and Middle Eastern perspective make him a notable figure, though his regional focus and Iraq’s instability temper papal candidacy prospects.
Sako’s leadership has emphasized Christian-Muslim dialogue, liturgical renewal, and unity among Eastern Churches, earning praise for resilience amid ISIS persecution and Christian exodus from Iraq. His academic background, with doctorates in Eastern patrology and history, and his outspoken critiques of militia influence have bolstered his international profile. However, his 2023 dispute with President Abdul Latif Rashid over a revoked decree and accusations of militia-driven asset seizures sparked controversy. As Patriarch, Sako continues to advocate for peace and Christian rights, with his conclave eligibility (age 76 in 2025) amplifying his voice in the post-Francis Church, though health and geopolitical constraints may limit his role.
Biography
Birth and early life
Louis Raphaël Sako was born on July 4, 1948, in Zakho, a northern Iraqi town in the Duhok Governorate, to a Chaldean Catholic family. Raised in a close-knit community, he grew up amid Iraq’s multi-ethnic and religious diversity, with early exposure to the Chaldean Church’s traditions sparking a vocation. He entered the Saint Peter Chaldean Seminary in Mosul at age 12.
Iraq’s Ba’athist regime and regional conflicts in the 1960s shaped Sako’s commitment to Christian perseverance. His intellectual curiosity and fluency in Arabic, English, French, and Italian emerged early, as he engaged in parish activities. These experiences grounded his later efforts to protect Iraq’s Christian minority amid war and persecution. [1]
Education
Sako studied theology at the Saint Peter Chaldean Seminary in Mosul and was ordained a priest in 1974. He pursued advanced studies in Rome at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, earning a doctorate in Eastern patrology in 1983, focusing on Chaldean liturgical traditions. He later obtained a doctorate in history from the Sorbonne in Paris, exploring Christian-Muslim relations in Iraq.
His academic formation included pastoral training in Baghdad and ecumenical studies, equipping him to address Iraq’s complex religious landscape. Sako’s scholarly work and multilingual proficiency prepared him for leadership in the Chaldean Church and global ecumenical dialogue, blending tradition with contemporary needs. [2] [3]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on June 1, 1974, by Archbishop Youhannan Semaan Issayi for the Eparchy of Zakho, Sako served as a parish priest in Mosul and Zakho, focusing on catechesis and youth ministry. From 1997 to 2002, he was rector of the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad, training future Chaldean clergy during Iraq’s post-Gulf War turmoil.
His priesthood included roles as a professor of patristics and history, and director of Vatican Radio’s Arabic section (1980s), amplifying his voice on Middle Eastern Christian issues. Sako’s pastoral and academic work, amid Iraq’s wars and sanctions, positioned him as a resilient leader for the Chaldean community. [1] [4]
Bishop
Consecrated Archbishop of Kirkuk on November 14, 2002, by Patriarch Raphaël I Bidawid, Sako led the archdiocese during the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent sectarian violence, protecting Christian communities amid ISIS threats. Elected Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans in 2013, he became the global leader of the Chaldean Church and was elevated to cardinal in 2018. His patriarchate has focused on ecumenism, peace advocacy, and Christian survival in Iraq.
Sako’s 2023–2024 exile in Erbil, following President Abdul Latif Rashid’s revocation of a decree recognizing his authority, sparked controversy, with Sako alleging militia-driven asset seizures by Rayan al-Kildani. Reinstated by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in 2024, he returned to Baghdad. Eligible for the 2025 conclave, Sako’s Middle Eastern perspective is significant, though his regional focus and health concerns limit papal candidacy prospects. [5] [6] [7]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Kirkuk | Archbishop | 14 November 2002 | 31 January 2013 | Led during 2003 invasion, ISIS threats |
| Chaldean Patriarchate of Babylon | Patriarch | 31 January 2013 | Present | Navigated exile, Christian exodus, ecumenism |
Significant events
- Entered Saint Peter Chaldean Seminary in 1960.
- Ordained priest for the Eparchy of Zakho in 1974.
- Consecrated Archbishop of Kirkuk in 2002.
- Elected Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans in 2013.
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018.
- Exiled to Erbil (2023–2024) after decree revocation; returned to Baghdad in 2024.
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically about Cardinal Sako.
Written by the bishop
- The Church of the East: A History and Future by Louis Raphaël Sako, ISBN 978-0813232393
- Faith and Perseverance in Crisis by Louis Raphaël Sako, ISBN 978-6148035142
External links
- Louis Raphaël Cardinal Sako at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako at Vatican Press Office
- Vatican News article on Sako’s conclave role
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Louis Raphaël Cardinal Sako". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-24. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bsako.html.
- ↑ "Biography of Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako". Vatican Press Office. 2025-04-24. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_sako.html.
- ↑ "Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako". College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinal-louis-raphael-sako.
- ↑ "Tribute to Louis Raphael Sako I, the tireless shepherd". Chaldeans. 2024-02-29. https://chaldeans.be/tribute-to-louis-raphael-sako.
- ↑ "Patriarch Sako on conclave and Christian unity". Vatican News. 2025-04-22. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-04/patriarch-sako-conclave-role.html.
- ↑ "Why did Cardinal Sako return to Baghdad?". The Pillar. 2024-04-16. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/why-did-cardinal-sako-return-to-baghdad.
- ↑ "Iraqi cardinal returns to Baghdad after 9-month absence". The Pillar. 2024-04-12. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/iraqi-cardinal-returns-to-baghdad.