Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona meets Iraqi leaders in Baghdad to strengthen Church-state cooperation, support Christians, and promote unity.
Newsroom (16/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) Chaldean Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona has continued a series of high-level meetings with senior Iraqi officials in Baghdad, underscoring efforts to deepen cooperation between the Church and state institutions, promote national stability, and reinforce the principles of justice, dialogue, and unity.
Over the past two days, the Patriarch met with leading figures from Iraq’s judiciary, legislature, and provincial administration as part of a broader initiative to strengthen communication between the Chaldean Catholic Church and government institutions following his recent election and enthronement.
A key meeting took place with Dr. Faiq Zidan, President of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council. Patriarch Nona was accompanied by Archbishop of Arba’ilo (Erbil) Mar Bashar Matti Warda, as well as Fathers Karam Qasha and David Stephen, who serve as secretaries to the Patriarch.
During the discussions, Judge Zidan congratulated Patriarch Nona on assuming leadership of the Chaldean Catholic Church and expressed his satisfaction with the appointment. He reaffirmed the Supreme Judicial Council’s willingness to cooperate with the Church in serving all Iraqi citizens, with particular attention to the Christian community, especially those who have chosen to remain in the country despite years of challenges.
Patriarch Nona, in turn, thanked the judiciary chief for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between religious and state institutions. He stressed that such collaboration is essential to ensuring a dignified life for all Iraqis while promoting social justice and equality among citizens regardless of their background.
Later the same day, the Patriarch held talks with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, accompanied by the same Church delegation. The meeting focused on the current situation facing Iraq’s Christian community and the broader Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian population.
The discussions explored ways to create conditions that would encourage these communities to maintain their presence in Iraq and increase their participation in public life. Both sides highlighted the significance of preserving Iraq’s religious and cultural diversity, describing it as an essential component of the nation’s identity and social fabric.
Patriarch Nona expressed appreciation for the Speaker’s supportive position toward Iraq’s Christian population. He also stressed the need for collective national efforts aimed at strengthening dialogue, tolerance, stability, and civil peace across the country.
In a separate engagement, Patriarch Nona welcomed Salah al-Din Governor Haitham Mahmoud al-Zahwan at the headquarters of the Chaldean Patriarchate in Baghdad.
Governor al-Zahwan congratulated the Patriarch on his election and enthronement and voiced his readiness to work alongside the Church in serving all Iraqis. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in supporting the Christian community and fostering national unity.
The Patriarch reciprocated by congratulating the governor on his appointment and reaffirming the Church’s commitment to partnering with local authorities and state institutions on initiatives designed to serve the common good and benefit all segments of Iraqi society.
Taken together, the series of meetings reflects Patriarch Nona’s efforts to strengthen relations with Iraq’s governing institutions and reaffirm the Church’s national role. Since his election, he has consistently emphasized the values of citizenship, coexistence, and the protection of Iraq’s diverse religious and cultural heritage.
The outreach also comes at a significant moment for Iraq’s Christian community. Just days earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi pledged wide-ranging government support to encourage the return of Christians who left the country after decades marked by war, terrorism, and instability.
During talks with Patriarch Nona, the Prime Minister stated that the government is prepared to provide comprehensive assistance to returning Christian families. Among the proposed measures is their inclusion in a national program aimed at distributing one million residential land plots.
Al-Zaidi also called on Iraqi Christian business leaders and investors living abroad to play a greater role in the country’s reconstruction efforts, particularly in the health and education sectors. He further pledged government backing for development projects that stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities.
Against this backdrop, Patriarch Nona’s meetings in Baghdad highlight a growing emphasis on cooperation between religious and state institutions as Iraq seeks to support its Christian population, strengthen national cohesion, and preserve the country’s longstanding tradition of religious and cultural diversity. The discussions also signal a shared commitment among Iraqi leaders and the Church to build a more stable and inclusive future for all citizens.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from SyriacPress.com
Related Images:
