Cardinal Louis Sako, the leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church, lauded Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani for his instrumental role in providing refuge to Christians displaced by the Islamic State (IS) onslaught in Iraq. During a press conference in Erbil on Sunday, Cardinal Sako commended Barzani and highlighted his pivotal role in welcoming thousands of Christians to the Kurdish region, particularly during the dire times when they fled the Nineveh Plains due to extremist attacks.

"[Barzani said], ‘We are one and live and die together,’" Cardinal Sako emphasized, expressing his community's desire to hear similar sentiments from various quarters, including the central Iraqi government, as reported by Kurdistan 24.

The religious leader also extended his appreciation to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of State for Minority Affairs, suggesting that Baghdad should draw inspiration from the initiatives taken by the Kurdish region in safeguarding minority communities.

Cardinal Sako's relocation to Erbil in July followed the withdrawal of a presidential decree by Iraqi President Latif Rashid, which had initially recognized him as the leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church and custodian of its assets in Baghdad.

In an interview with The Pillar in August, the 74-year-old cardinal explained that he lacked the state's authority to administer ecclesiastical properties, attributing this decision to Christian leader Rayan Al-Kildani. Al-Kildani, heading the 50th Brigade of the Shia militias within the Hashd al-Shaabi, has been designated by the US Treasury for "serious human rights abuses" since July 18, 2019.

Cardinal Sako and Kildani have engaged in a war of words, each accusing the other of exploiting the minority group, which has witnessed a significant decline in population within Iraq.

Having arrived in the Kurdistan Region in late July, Cardinal Sako expressed gratitude to the KRG for the support and warm welcome he received. He also praised the region's peaceful coexistence, underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration in ensuring the safety and well-being of Iraq's diverse religious communities.