Iraqi Cardinal urges emigrants to return

Baghdad: Iraq's first cardinal has made a Christmas appeal for Iraqis who have fled to return and help rebuild their shattered country.

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of the Chaldean Church, said that his message was one of love and for "charity towards everyone.

"And for the emigrants to return home, to work for the good of their country and their homeland despite the situation which their country is in—that is my hope," he said.

The 80-year-old Delly became Iraq's first cardinal last month.

Less than three per cent of Iraq's 26 million people are Christians.