Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop in Iraq who was kidnapped last month, has been found dead near the northern city of Mosul.
Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop in Iraq who was kidnapped last month, has been found dead near the northern city of Mosul.
An Iraqi police officer and morgue official confirmed reports that the archbishop's body had been found buried near Mosul, where he had been abducted.
An Iraqi police officer and morgue official confirmed reports that the archbishop's body had been found buried near Mosul, where he had been abducted.
The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI was profoundly moved and saddened by Archbishop Rahho's death.
The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI was profoundly moved and saddened by Archbishop Rahho's death.
He was kidnapped soon after he left Mass in Mosul on 29 February.
He was kidnapped soon after he left Mass in Mosul on 29 February.
According to the SIR Catholic news agency, the kidnappers told Iraqi church officials on Wednesday that Archbishop Rahho was very ill and, later on Wednesday, that he was dead.
According to the SIR Catholic news agency, the kidnappers told Iraqi church officials on Wednesday that Archbishop Rahho was very ill and, later on Wednesday, that he was dead.
It is not clear whether he was killed, or died of natural causes. Nobody has claimed responsibility for his death.
It is not clear whether he was killed, or died of natural causes. Nobody has claimed responsibility for his death.
The archbishop was the latest in a long line of Chaldean clerics to be abducted in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.
The archbishop was the latest in a long line of Chaldean clerics to be abducted in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.
Three people who were with him at the time were killed by gunmen.
Three people who were with him at the time were killed by gunmen.
A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said: "The most absurd and unjustified violence continues to afflict the Iraqi people and in particular the small Christian community, whom the Pope holds in his prayers in this time of deep sadness".
A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said: "The most absurd and unjustified violence continues to afflict the Iraqi people and in particular the small Christian community, whom the Pope holds in his prayers in this time of deep sadness".
Earlier in Iraq, a car bomb in the capital Baghdad was reported to have killed at least seven people, and wounded at least 20.
Earlier in Iraq, a car bomb in the capital Baghdad was reported to have killed at least seven people, and wounded at least 20.
According to AP, the bomb was in a parked car in Tahrir Square, a central commercial district just outside the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses much of the Iraqi government and the US Embassy.
According to AP, the bomb was in a parked car in Tahrir Square, a central commercial district just outside the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses much of the Iraqi government and the US Embassy.
The attack is the latest in a series in Baghdad, following several months of relative calm.
The attack is the latest in a series in Baghdad, following several months of relative calm.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you a Chaldean - or any other religious minority - in Iraq?
