Christians in Iraq

The Latest

An unknown security guard stands at the entrance of a church destroyed during the fighting with ISIS in Mosul, Iraq.

10 years after Mosul’s destruction, will Christians come back?

Jun 14, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

Mosul’s exiled Christians grapple today with rebuilding their lives while demanding accountability and a future built on equity and justice. Read more

Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako presides over the dedication ceremony of the altar of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mosul, Iraq. April 5, 2024.

As new altar is consecrated at destroyed Iraq church, former parishioner recalls ‘wonderful days’

Apr 18, 2024

By Zoe Romanowsky

Georgena Habbaba says her eyes filled with tears to see her childhood parish and school in Mosul, Iraq, reconstructed and... 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

The Christian community in Qaraqosh, in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains, was devastated last week after a fire broke out at a Syriac Catholic wedding celebration.

Pope Francis sends telegram to Iraqi Christian community after tragic wedding fire

Oct 2, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

An Iraqi Christian community in Qaraqosh, northern Iraq, was devastated by a massive fire at a crowded wedding reception that... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican at his general audience on Sept. 13, 2023.

Controversial Iraqi Christian didn’t meet with Pope Francis privately, Vatican confirms

Sep 13, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

On social media Sept. 7, Al-Kildani shared photos and videos that seemed, at least to some observers, to imply that... 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

A priest surveys the damage caused by ISIS at a Catholic Church in Karamles, Iraq.

Vatican’s ambassador during Iraq war: Under Saddam Hussein ‘the Church was respected’

Mar 21, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

The papal nuncio in Iraq at the time of the U.S. invasion 20 years ago said Christians in Iraq were... Read more

Hungarian President Katalin Novák (center) visited Iraq in early December 2022, stopping at a majority-Christian town that has been rebuilt in recent years almost entirely with Hungarian support, following years of occupation and devastation by the so-called Islamic State.

Hungary stands out for its aid to beleaguered Christians in Iraq. Here’s why

Dec 14, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Hungarian President Katalin Novák visited Iraq last week, stopping at a majority-Christian town that has been rebuilt in recent years... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako

Iraqi government must support Christians, Chaldean Catholic patriarch says

Dec 2, 2022

By ACI MENA

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Cardinal Louis Sako warned that if the government doesn’t change its policies it could spell the end... Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria

Nigerian bishop addresses the evils of Islamist extremism at interfaith summit

Nov 3, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

Addressing the G20 Religion Forum in Bali, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah testified to the violence committed against both Christians and... 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

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda (center), joined Alejandro Bermudez (far right), executive editor of the ACI Group and Catholic News Agency, and other dignitaries and staff members at a ceremony marking the launch of the Arabic-language news agency in Erbil, Iraq, on March 25, 2022.

'It's the time for the world to hear our voice': Catholic news agency in Iraq to serve persecuted Christians

Mar 25, 2022

By Kelsey Wicks

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq, was among the dignitaries at a ceremony marking the inauguration of ACI... 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

March 26, 2021: The restored image of the Virgin Mary destroyed by ISIS returned to its original parish in Iraq.

Nobel Peace Prize nominee urges Biden to protect Iraqi Christians

Sep 1, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

After the last U.S. forces left Afghanistan this week, an interfaith coalition implored President Joe Biden to keep American troops... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Chaldean Patriarchate drops ‘Babylon’ from official title

Aug 26, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Synod of the Chaldean Catholic Church backed the change unanimously. 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