The pontiff's decision to raise the primate of the Iraqi Chaldean Church to the rank of cardinal

In a lengthy interview with SBS Radio the Chaldean primate Mar Sako believes that the nomination will be "a source of encouragement" and "will help me to be more effective in defending the weakest and in demanding justice. "It will be a source of strength - he adds - in my service for all, following the model of Pope Francis and thanking him for his friendship, for his closeness".