January 26, 2026

Baghdad— His Beatitude Mar Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, has issued a solemn appeal for peace in response to the worsening security and political situation across the Middle East, warning of the grave consequences of escalating conflict, militarization, and polarization in the region.

In his statement, the Patriarch emphasized that the Chaldean Church is closely monitoring developments with deep concern, noting the steady erosion of stability and the mounting risks facing societies already burdened by years of turmoil. Speaking from a position of national and moral responsibility, he called for immediate and concrete measures to strengthen peace, promote social harmony, and spare the region further suffering.

The Patriarch underscored the responsibility of the international community, particularly the United Nations, urging it to play a more decisive role in preventing conflicts and advancing peace through dialogue. He stressed the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens in all affected countries.

Turning to domestic responsibilities, Patriarch Mar Sako called on local governments to engage in a realistic and in-depth assessment of current conditions and to assume their direct obligation to protect their nations. He highlighted the need to guarantee freedom, human dignity, and a dignified quality of life for all citizens, describing such measures as an inescapable historical and ethical duty.

Addressing the situation in Iraq specifically, the Patriarch stated that the country has reached a critical juncture. He called for genuine reform and a decisive shift from rhetoric to action, including the exclusive control of weapons by the state and a firm confrontation of corruption. According to Cardinal Sako, the foundation of a functional and just state must rest on the principles of citizenship, merit, and ethical governance.

He further emphasized that religion is a personal matter and should not dictate public administration, which must instead be grounded in competence and capability. All Iraqis, he noted, are equal under the law without exception. In this context, he highlighted the role of Christians as full citizens, affirming that they are no less qualified than others and have historically contributed significantly to the country’s development.

The Patriarch also urged the Iraqi government to actively uphold equality and mutual respect, to embrace religious and ethnic diversity as a genuine source of national strength, and to work sincerely toward reforming public discourse. He stressed the importance of responsible media messaging, constructive rhetoric in mosques and churches alike, and the improvement of educational curricula in schools as essential components of long-term stability.

Concluding his appeal, the Patriarch invoked a message rooted in faith and universal values: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9), reaffirming his call for peace as both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for the future of Iraq and the wider region.