In these times of change for the universal Church, with the recent passing of Pope Francis to the Father's house in April 2025 and the election of Pope Leo XIV, Christian communities in Iraq are also experiencing a historic moment. The Synod of Chaldean bishops, meeting in Rome, has chosen a new patriarch to lead this ancient people of faith. The former Archbishop of Mosul, originally from Alqosh, has received this particularly challenging mandate, taking the name Paul III.
A Journey Marked by Trial
The life of this shepherd has been deeply marked by the events that have affected Christians in Iraq in recent years. He led the Mosul community during the most difficult years, when violence seemed determined to erase every trace of Christian presence in those ancient lands. He accompanied families in exile after the ISIS advance, sharing their fears, their losses, but also their tenacious hope.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10 NIV).
These words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount resonate with particular strength for Christians who, like those in Iraq, have directly experienced what it means to be persecuted for their faith. Their testimony, often silent and hidden, is a powerful call to the radical nature of belonging to Christ.
The Mandate of Unity
The task awaiting the new Patriarch Paul III is clear: to work for unity among Iraqi Christians. A mandate that Pope Leo XIV has entrusted with particular care, recognizing how crucial it is, in a context of minority status and ongoing challenges, that believers in Christ know how to walk together.
Unity is not optional in Christian life, but an essential characteristic of the Church as the body of Christ. The apostle Paul reminds us:
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV).
The Concrete Challenges of Communion
What does it mean, in practice, to work for unity in a context like Iraq? It means first of all:
- Overcoming historical divisions between different Christian traditions
- Creating spaces for dialogue and concrete collaboration
- Sharing resources and skills for the common good
- Witnessing together, with a stronger voice, to the hope of the Gospel
The experience of exile and persecution has already taught many Iraqi Christians that, in the face of suffering, confessional differences lose importance compared to common belonging to Christ. The new patriarch is called to build on this awareness, transforming it into a visible and active communion.
Rooted in History, Reaching Toward the Future
The Chaldean Church boasts a thousand-year history, with roots deep in ancient Mesopotamia, the land of Abraham and cradle of civilizations. Today, this Church finds itself living a most delicate phase of its existence. Many of its sons and daughters are scattered in diaspora, while those who have remained in their homeland face daily difficulties of all kinds.
In this context, the guidance of a shepherd who has directly known the suffering of his people takes on particular value. Paul III does not speak of persecution as an abstract concept, but as an experience lived alongside his flock. This closeness to the cross of his faithful is perhaps the most important credential for the ministry he now begins.
The Hope That Does Not Disappoint
The letter to the Romans offers us a word of encouragement
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