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Shafaq News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
How Pope Leo XIV was elected: Iraq's Cardinal Sako shares details
Shafaq News / On Saturday, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, shared details from the secretive Vatican meetings that preceded the election of Pope Leo XIV, describing a process marked by discipline, spiritual focus, and collective responsibility. In a statement, Cardinal Sako indicated that more than 185 cardinals, including both electors and retired members, convened in the Vatican for several days of closed-door discussions. The talks focused on preserving church unity, strengthening Christian doctrine, building closer ties with communities, and responding to the suffering of people in conflict-affected regions. The conclave formally opened on May 7 with a morning Mass, followed by a spiritual reflection and the first round of voting inside the Sistine Chapel. A total of 133 cardinals under the age of 80 participated in the election, with two absent due to health-related reasons. Seating arrangements followed strict protocol based on each cardinal's ecclesiastical rank, he added. All communication with the outside world was suspended from the outset. Mobile phones were collected, and internet access was cut off to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the voting process. White smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 8 confirmed the successful election of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in the United States on September 14, 1955. The bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out as thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square to witness the announcement.
7NEWS
29-04-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Convicted cardinal Becciu skips conclave to elect Pope
An Italian cardinal who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud says he will not take part in the conclave to elect the new Pope that will be held in the Sistine Chapel next week following the death of Pope Francis. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail in December 2023. He denies all wrongdoing and is free pending an appeal. Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, had fired Becciu from a senior Vatican job in 2020 and accused him of embezzlement. The Pope allowed Becciu to keep his ecclesiastical title and his Vatican apartment but stripped him of what the Vatican said at the time were 'the rights associated with the Cardinalate', leaving ambiguity over whether he could join the conclave. 'Having at heart the good of the church ... I have decided to obey, as I always have, the will of Pope Francis and to not enter the conclave, still remaining convinced of my innocence,' the cardinal said. The resurfacing of the Becciu issue could deal a blow to Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a senior Vatican official who is seen as a leading candidate to succeed Francis. The Becciu case centred on the messy $US200 million (A$313m) purchase of a building in London by the Secretariat of State, the Vatican's key administrative and diplomatic department, headed by Parolin, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing. About 135 cardinals under the age of 80, from all corners of the world, are eligible to take part in the vote for the next head of the 1.4-billion-member church, which is beset by concerns over its finances and divisions over doctrine. The previous two conclaves, held in 2005 and 2013, lasted just two days but there have been suggestions that things might take longer this time. Some of the cardinals appointed by Francis, who appointed many cardinals from countries who had never had them before, had not previously met. However, Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez of El Salvador said he felt this conclave could be wrapped up swiftly. 'I have the impression that the conclave will be short, two or three days, this is the feeling we have inside the room,' he told reporters. Given his age of 82, Chavez will not be eligible to vote. Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, head of Baghdad's Chaldean Catholic Church, also said he expected a similarly short process to elect a successor to Francis, who was the first Pope from Latin America. 'There is a fraternal and sincere atmosphere, so it is the spirit of responsibility to choose someone who would continue Pope Francis' work,' he said.
The National
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iraq's Cardinal Louis Sako hopes interfaith dialogue will be priority for next pope
World leaders send condolences after Pope's death The successor to Pope Francis should continue his work of promoting interfaith dialogue, especially between Christians and Muslims, Cardinal Louis Sako, the head of Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Church, told The National. Promoting harmony between religions was one of the hallmarks of Francis's 12-year papacy, along with speaking up for the poor, the marginalised and people suffering the effects of war. The pontiff's funeral will be held in Rome on Saturday, five days after he passed away at the age of 88. Cardinal Sako, 76, is one of 136 cardinals who will be gathering in Rome to choose the next pope by secret ballot. Only cardinals aged under 80 are allowed to vote. 'I wish the next pope can be as humble, humanitarian as Pope Francis. I hope he will consider and promote dialogue between religions, especially Islam as it is the next biggest religion after Christianity, so that dialogue between religions will be kept going,' he said. The pope is usually chosen from among the church's college of cardinals, and Cardinal Sako has received the endorsement of the Iraqi government as a candidate to succeed Pope Francis. Cardinal Sako said the death of Francis, who he described as 'a shield for humanity', was a big loss to the world and especially for the Middle East, which is going through a time of increased tension. 'He was a spiritual and humanitarian person who left a mark on the world as he attempted to modernise the church and the world. He stood against corruption and oppressors and supported those who were neglected and persecuted,' he said. His last meeting with Pope Francis was in October, which lasted about 15 minutes, Cardinal Sako said. 'I feel like a father has left us,' he added. 'I was in total shock when I heard the news.' Cardinal Sako was born in Zakho, northern Iraq, and has played a central role in interfaith dialogue in the country. Pope Francis elevated him to cardinal in June 2018, and visited Iraq in 2021 in what was seen as a major show of support to the country's Christian population. Many Iraqi Christians fled abroad after sectarian warfare broke out in the wake of the 2003 US-led invasion. The plight of those who remained grew worse when ISIS seized large areas of northern and western Iraq in 2014 and persecuted religious minorities. The extremist group was defeated and driven out of the territory it seized by the end of 2017. However, Christians have not seen much improvement until now, Cardinal Sako said. 'We are suffering immensely and there is little that has changed for the Christians of Iraq. Many are still unable to return to their homes as it remains unsafe,' he said. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Al Sudani said this week that Cardinal Sako had his 'unwavering support' to become the next pope. 'We reaffirm our unwavering support for His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, the sole nominee from the Middle East to succeed the late Pope Francis (may his soul rest in peace) as the head of the Holy See in the Vatican,' Mr Al Sudani said in a statement. Speculation about the next pope has seen cardinals from Europe, the US, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East cited as possible successors to Francis. 'There is no nomination or general election for the pope's position, however, wherever there is a cardinal in the world, the country to which they belong nominates them for the position,' Cardinal Sako said. Christianity in Iraq dates back to the first century AD, when the apostles Thomas and Thaddeus are believed to have preached the gospel on the fertile floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Shafaq News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
National Day of Prayer: Iraq's Cardinal Sako urges modern laws
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and worldwide, called for legislative reform and stronger national unity to address internal challenges and rising regional instability. Speaking at the National Day of Prayer ceremony in Erbil, Kurdistan Region's capital, themed Toward Unity in Faith, Sako praised the Region for sheltering thousands displaced by ISIS during the group's 2014 offensive, which seized nearly a third of the country. Sako underscored that true sovereignty rests on democracy, the rule of law, and the strength of institutions, criticizing Iraq's dependence on archaic laws. 'We still operate under legislation from the Ottoman era,' he remarked, urging lawmakers to adopt modern frameworks that reflect current realities and uphold equality and justice. Rejecting the misuse of religion for political or economic purposes, he declared, 'Divine religions do not support extremism,' calling for revising religious curricula to promote moderation. 'Fundamentalism distorts the essence of faith.' Turning to regional crises, including the Gaza war and the rise of radical ideologies, the Cardinal urged inclusive dialogue and collective action to foster peace and coexistence.
The National
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iraq backs head of Baghdad-based Chaldean Catholic Church to succeed Pope Francis
World leaders send condolences after Pope's death Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani offered his 'unwavering support' on Tuesday for the head of the Baghdad-based Chaldean Catholic Church to succeed Pope Francis. Cardinal Louis Sako, 76, would be the "sole nominee from the Middle East" to replace Pope Francis, Mr Al Sudani said. He described the cardinal as "widely respected both locally and internationally" and said he played a "vital role in advancing peace and fostering interfaith tolerance". The Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis, who was 88 and had suffered several ailments during his 12-year papacy, on Monday. Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the world's Roman Catholics and the first pontiff from outside Europe for more than 1,000 years, since the Syria-born Gregory III. 'We reaffirm our unwavering support for His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, the sole nominee from the Middle East to succeed the late Pope Francis (may his soul rest in peace) as the head of the Holy See in the Vatican,' Mr Al Sudani said. In a statement later on Monday, Mr Sako said speculation about Pope Francis's successor had begun as soon as his health deteriorated, with the names of cardinals from Europe, the US, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East circulating. "These speculations are normal and usually occur after the Pope's death," he said. "What is published on social media is an expression of people's love and pride for those qualified to run for the office, but it does not, in fact, affect the election process," he added. He said he is one of 136 cardinals under the age of 80 who will convene at the Vatican. Christians in Iraq trace their roots back to the beginning of the faith. The country has 14 recognised Christian sects, but two decades of conflict left ancient communities that were once a vibrant and integral part of Iraq's landscape scattered and in ruins. Pope Francis made a landmark visit to Mosul in 2021. 'Iraq has long been one of the most significant homelands for followers of the Christian faith, who have lived in harmony and brotherhood with other religious communities throughout history,' the Prime Minister said. 'Today, Iraq remains a land where all Christian denominations are represented – embodying a spirit of love and unity among believers of diverse religions." Born in 1948 in the northern Iraqi city of Zakho, Cardinal Sako grew up in an ethnic Assyrian family belonging to the Chaldean Catholic Church. The religious community has had a presence in the city since the fifth century AD. He was ordained a priest in 1974 and performed pastoral service at a cathedral in Mosul, northern Iraq, until 1979, the Vatican said. He later attended the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome and obtained a doctorate in Eastern patrology, a branch of theology. From 1997 to 2002 he held the office of rector of the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad. On returning to Mosul he guided the parish of Perpetual Help until his election as archbishop of Kirkuk in 2003. In 2018, Pope Francis made him a cardinal. He has led the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and the world since 2013. He has been outspoken in raising the grievances of Christians in Iraq, with an estimated one million having left in the past decade. It is difficult to know how many remain in the country but community leaders estimate there are fewer than 500,000. The death of a pope sets in motion a centuries-old ritual led by cardinals to elect a successor. The election is shrouded in secrecy, with cardinals forbidden from communicating with the outside world about what happened during the conclave within the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel. Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli said in a death certificate released on Monday. It said the Pope had fallen into a coma before his death early on Monday. His funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10am local time at St Peter's Basilica, a Vatican statement said. The cardinals have also decided that a public viewing of Pope Francis's casket will begin on Wednesday in the basilica, after it is taken by procession from the Vatican hotel where he lived during his 12-year papacy.
