Catholic Church in Iraq

The Latest

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako speaks with Rody Sher of ACI MENA.

Chaldean patriarch urges preservation of rights for Iraq’s diverse communities

Mar 12, 2024

By Georgena Hababba

As the 21st anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime approaches, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako has called for a... Read more

The Dominican Church of Our Lady of the Hour, one of the most emblematic in Mosul, northern Iraq, has been completely restored after the destruction carried out by Islamic State terrorists 10 years ago.

Church destroyed by ISIS in Iraq completely restored 10 years later

Jan 11, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The Dominican Church of Our Lady of the Hour in Mosul, Iraq, has been completely restored after the destruction carried... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil in Iraq.

Iraqi archbishop fears war in Holy Land could spread to entire region

Nov 9, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda fears a possible escalation in the conflict will end up unleashing a wave of migration... Read more

A mourner holds up an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the funeral on Sept. 27, 2023, of victims who were killed when a fire ripped through a crowded wedding hall in the mainly Christian northern city of Qaraqosh, Iraq, also known as Hamdaniyah. At least 100 people were killed, officials said, pointing to indoor fireworks as the likely cause for the blaze that sparked a panicked stampede for the exits.

Iraq archbishop calls for prayers after tragic wedding fire

Sep 27, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

More than 100 died after a fire at a Syriac Catholic wedding celebration is the Nineveh Plains of Iraq. Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako

Iraq’s president revokes recognition of Catholic leader 

Jul 17, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, announced Saturday that he is withdrawing from his seat in Baghdad. Read more

St. Paul’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in Mosul, Iraq

Bell rings out from Catholic cathedral in Mosul for the first time since ISIS occupation

Nov 15, 2022

By Courtney Mares, Rody Sher

A church bell that was kept hidden by a Muslim family during the Islamic State’s occupation of Mosul rang out... Read more

An Iraqi woman holding a rosary.

Iraqi Christians face uncertain future after eviction from ‘Virgin Mary compound’ in Baghdad

Oct 19, 2022

By Rody Sher, Charlotte Evans

The Chaldean patriarch and an auxiliary bishop of Baghdad recently visited the Baghdad compound in an effort to find alternative... Read more

The Catholic University of Erbil in Ankawa, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Credit: Aid to the Church in Need.

Catholic charity sees ‘signs of hope’ for Iraq’s beleaguered Christians

May 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘Pope Francis’ visit, I think, really has given them hope,’ said Aid to the Church in Need’s Regina Lynch. Read more

A Christian family in Qaraqosh sporting their traditional dressing for Holy Week in April 2022.

Joyful Iraqi Christians return to Nineveh Plains to celebrate Holy Week

Apr 11, 2022

By Bashar Jameel Hanna

An estimated 25,000 Iraqi Christians gathered for a joyous Palm Sunday reunion after years of war and displacement. Read more

Pope Francis releases a dove after praying for the victims of war in Mosul, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

'Francis in Iraq': Powerful film focuses on the people the pope came to see

Apr 2, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

"Francis in Iraq," a new documentary about the pope's historic visit to the war-torn country in 2021, hopes to raise... Read more

The logo of ACI MENA, EWTN's new Arabic-language news agency, based in Erbil, Iraq.

EWTN launches Arabic-language news agency based in Iraq

Mar 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

EWTN Global Catholic Network has launched an Arabic-language news service headquartered in Erbil, Iraq. Read more

Pope Francis meets Iraqi Church representatives on the first anniversary of his visit to Iraq, Feb. 28, 2022.

Pope Francis remembers historic Iraq visit 1 year later

Feb 28, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

He said his visit on March 5-8, 2021, was ‘unforgettable.’ Read more

Pope Francis meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the Vatican, July 2, 2021.

Pope Francis prays for Iraqi PM after assassination attempt

Nov 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A papal telegram described the drone attack as a ‘vile act of terrorism.’ Read more

French President Emmanuel Macron tours Our Lady of the Hour Church in Mosul, Iraq, Aug. 29, 2021.

French president visits Catholic church in Iraq damaged by ISIS

Aug 31, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Emmanuel Macron toured Our Lady of the Hour Church in Mosul. Read more

Pope Francis, pictured on Oct. 4, 2014.

Pope Francis ‘deeply saddened’ by Baghdad market bombing

Jul 20, 2021

By CNA Staff

The explosion at the al-Wuhailat market killed at least 30 people. Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq speaks at Georgetown University on Feb. 15, 2018.

Iraqi archbishop: We must ensure ISIS genocide is not repeated

Jul 16, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Grateful for aid to Iraqi Christian genocide victims, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Erbil says more must be done to... Read more

The fire-ravaged coronavirus isolation ward of al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Nasiriyah, Iraq, July 13, 2021.

Pope Francis prays for more than 60 people killed in Iraq COVID ward fire

Jul 13, 2021

By CNA Staff

The pope assured families of “his spiritual closeness to all affected.” Read more

Christian refugees iving in an abandoned mall in Lebanon.

Christian refugees in Lebanon live in abandoned mall amid economic crisis

Jul 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

An NGO has documented the harsh living conditions. Read more

Pope Francis meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi

Pope Francis discusses protection of Christians with Iraqi prime minister

Jul 2, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope and Mustafa Al-Kadhimi discussed the importance of protecting the Christian presence in the Middle East. Read more

Pope Francis blesses a young boy in the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bakhdida, Iraq, on March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Iraqi cardinal: Pope Francis gave $350,000 for poor during Iraq trip

Mar 31, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

A cardinal has revealed that Pope Francis gave a donation of $350,000 to the Chaldean Catholic Church during his recent... Read more