New Leader Takes Helm of Key Middle Eastern Christian Church in Iraq

In the heart of Baghdad, Polis III Nona stepped forward to begin his tenure as the patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Elected after Cardinal Louis Sako's retirement in March, Nona's new role is pivotal for one of the Middle East's significant Christian communities.

Before ascending to patriarch, Nona served as the Archbishop of Mosul and later Sydney. His leadership comes amid a notable decline in Iraq's Christian population since the 2003 invasion and the violent tenure of the Islamic State. The church, part of the Eastern Rite under Rome, remains a vital religious entity in Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon.

Once numbering 1.5 million in 2003, Iraq's Christian community has now dwindled to about 150,000. The challenges they face stem from historical upheavals and ongoing recovery post-IS defeat, echoing a broader narrative of resilience and faith.

(With inputs from agencies.)