THE body of a kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop has been found in northern Iraq, sparking outrage from Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and other world leaders and expression of sadness from Pope Benedict XVI.

"Yes, we found his body," Iraqi interior ministry spokesman Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf told AFP, speaking of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho.

A report from Rome had said the body of Archbishop Rahho was found in a shallow grave near Mosul after abductors telephoned the auxiliary archbishop of Baghdad, Shlemon Warduni.

Archbishop Rahho, 65, was kidnapped on February 29 after a shootout in which three of his companions were killed.