ROME — In a moment of profound historical and spiritual significance for the global Chaldean community, the Synod of Bishops of the Chaldean Church has elected Archbishop Amel Nona as the new Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Meeting in Rome on April 12, 2026, the Synod chose the 58-year-old prelate, who has led the Chaldean Diocese of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Australia and New Zealand since 2015, to succeed Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako.
Archbishop Nona, who has chosen the patriarchal name His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona, becomes the spiritual father of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, a Church that traces its roots to the apostolic preaching of Mar Addai in Mesopotamia and remains a vital witness to Christ in the Middle East and throughout the global diaspora.
A Son of Nineveh, A Shepherd of Mosul
Born in 1967 in the historic village of Alqosh in Iraq’s Nineveh Governorate, the new Patriarch’s life has been defined by both the ancient traditions of his faith and the modern trials of his homeland. Ordained a priest in 1991, he later earned a doctorate in theological anthropology from Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University, a background that has deeply informed his pastoral approach to the human person.
In 2009, at the age of 42, he was elected Archbishop of Mosul, becoming one of the youngest archbishops in the Catholic Church. His tenure in Mosul was marked by extraordinary courage as he led his flock through a period of intense persecution and displacement. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him to lead the Chaldean eparchy in Australia, where he has been a tireless advocate for the thousands of Chaldean refugees who have made the southern continent their home.
| Milestone | Date | Significance |
| Birth in Alqosh, Iraq | 1967 | Born in the heartland of Chaldean Christianity. |
| Archbishop of Mosul | 2009 | Led the Church in Iraq during a time of severe persecution. |
| Bishop in Australia | 2015 | Shepherd to the Chaldean diaspora in Oceania. |
| Elected Patriarch | April 12, 2026 | Chosen as the head of the global Chaldean Catholic Church. |
A Call to Communion and Peace
The election has been met with joy across the universal Church. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, described the appointment as a “moment of profound grace.” He noted that the bishops have chosen a shepherd “formed by prayer, unwavering commitment to his people, and great courage in the face of challenges”.
“In a world scarred by conflict and division, the ministry of Patriarch Amel Nona will be a call to communion, within the Church, across cultures, and among all who seek peace rooted in justice and faith,” Archbishop Costelloe stated. While the Church in Australia will miss his leadership, his election is seen as a bridge between the suffering Church in Iraq and the vibrant communities of the diaspora.
The Chaldean Church: An Ancient Witness
The Chaldean Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic sui iuris particular Church in full communion with the Holy See. As Patriarch, Mar Paul III Nona will lead a community that has faced existential threats in its ancestral lands but continues to flourish in countries like the United States, Australia, and across Europe. His leadership comes at a time when the Church in Iraq is seeking to rebuild and maintain its presence amidst ongoing regional instability.
Spiritual Resolution
As we celebrate the election of His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona, let us join our prayers with the Chaldean faithful for the success of his patriarchal ministry. Let us resolve to:
The Sacrament of Confession: To seek the “peace of Christ” in our own souls, that we may be better instruments of reconciliation in our families and communities.
Eucharistic Adoration: To pray for the persecuted Christians in the Middle East, that they may be sustained by the “Bread of Life” and the intercession of their new Patriarch.
The Holy Rosary: To entrust the ministry of Mar Paul III Nona to the maternal care of Mary, the Mother of God (Theotokos), who is deeply venerated in the Chaldean tradition.
The Holy Mass: To offer our participation in the Holy Sacrifice for the unity of the Church, both East and West, that we may truly be “one body, one spirit in Christ.”
Sacred Scripture: To meditate on the “Acts of the Apostles,” remembering the courage of the early Church in Mesopotamia and seeking that same apostolic zeal in our own lives.
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