The Pope has accepted the resignation of the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq. Cardinal Louis Sako's retirement paves the way for a transition in one of Iraq's oldest Christian churches. Sako, 76, who said he asked to retire to dedicate his time to prayer, writing, and service, had led the ancient church through the traumatic years of the rise of the Islamic State group in Iraq that devastated the Christian community in the Middle East. He said that “in these difficult times” he hoped that his successor will possess “solid theological culture, courage, and wisdom."
