President Barzani Receives a High Papal Order

ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani received Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch Emeritus of the Chaldean Catholic Church, on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

During the meeting, Cardinal Louis Sako expressed appreciation for President Barzani’s role in deepening the noble values of coexistence and humanity, and in consolidating peace and stability in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the broader region.

Sako also praised Barzani for his historic role in protecting the Christian community and other ethnic and religious groups in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Cardinal Louis Sako also announced that he had formally requested that the Pope award President Barzani a high papal order in recognition of the distinguished role President Barzani plays in advancing peace and upholding human values.

For his part, President Barzani expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Pope and Cardinal Louis Sako, affirming the people of Kurdistan’s pride in their rich heritage of upholding a culture of coexistence, harmony, and peace.

He also stressed the need to preserve the values of brotherhood and cohesion among the various communities of Kurdistan, explaining that actions are the true criteria for evaluating a person, rather than religious belief or affiliation.

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