On October 6, Pope Francis announced the appointment of 21 new cardinals, including Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad, who oversees the Pope’s overseas travels. Monsignor Koovakad’s elevation to the rank of cardinal marks a significant moment for the Indian Catholic community. His appointment is part of a larger group of new cardinals, which includes several from Asia, demonstrating the global nature of the Catholic Church’s leadership.
The new cardinals from Asia include Archbishop Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo, Japan, Bishop Pablo Virgilio Siongco David of Kalookan in the Philippines, Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu of Tehran Ispahan, Iran, and Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur of Bogor, Indonesia. Their appointments reflect the increasing importance of Asia in the Catholic Church, a region where the faith has grown significantly over recent decades.
Monsignor Koovakad, a Syro-Malabar priest, hails from the Archdiocese of Changanacherry in Kerala, India. He joined the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006 after completing his formation at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome. The 51-year-old cleric has served in various diplomatic roles around the world, gaining experience in multiple Apostolic Nunciatures, including those in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Currently, he holds a position in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, where he has been responsible for organizing the Pope’s international travels since 2021.
Monsignor Koovakad’s roots trace back to his birthplace in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. He was born on August 11, 1973, to Jacob and Thresiamma Koovakad. His family belongs to the Lourde Matha Parish at Mammoodu in Changanacherry. He completed his theological studies at St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Kurichy, St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary in Aluva, and Maria Mater Ecclesiae in Rome. On July 24, 2004, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Joseph Powathil of Changanacherry. Monsignor Koovakad also holds a doctorate in Canon Law, further demonstrating his deep academic and spiritual preparation for his roles in the Church.
Before entering diplomatic service, Monsignor Koovakad served as assistant vicar at St. Mary’s Church in Parel, Changanacherry. His career in the Vatican’s diplomatic corps began in 2006, when he was assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria. This marked the start of a distinguished career that would take him to many countries around the world. Monsignor Koovakad’s various diplomatic postings include serving as secretary of the Nunciature in South Korea from 2009 to 2012 and in Iran from 2012 to 2014. Later, he served as counsellor of the Nunciatures in Costa Rica from 2014 to 2018 and in Venezuela from 2018 to 2020.
Since 2020, Monsignor Koovakad has been based at the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, where his primary responsibility has been organizing the global travels of Pope Francis. His expertise in this role has been widely recognized, as noted by Father Stephen Alathara, deputy secretary general of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. “He has played a vital role in coordinating and managing the logistics of the Holy Father’s trips around the world,” Father Alathara stated.
Despite his busy schedule in the Vatican, Monsignor Koovakad maintains strong ties to his home parish in Kerala. During the last Holy Week, he returned to Mammoodu to lead services at his home parish and visited the archdiocesan headquarters. His commitment to both his home community and his international duties reflects his deep devotion to the Church.
In a touching moment, Pope Francis personally reached out to Monsignor Koovakad’s family. On September 2, 2023, the Pope video-called Monsignor Koovakad’s 95-year-old grandmother, Sosamma Antony, who had recently battled COVID-19. Concerned about her health, the Pope spoke with her through Monsignor Koovakad, who translated during the brief conversation. The exchange was filled with warmth and humor, as the Pope and Sosamma shared greetings and blessings.
The appointment of Monsignor Koovakad as cardinal is a moment of pride for the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. Archbishop-elect Thomas Tharayil of Changanacherry expressed the community’s joy in a public message: “The archdiocese is extremely grateful to the Lord for this happy moment when our beloved Monsignor George Koovakad was elevated to the rank of Cardinal.” The archbishop praised Monsignor Koovakad as “the proud son” of the archdiocese and emphasized how rare such an elevation is in the history of the Indian Church. He noted that the new cardinal-elect is “a man of spiritual integrity and loyalty to the Church” and predicted that Monsignor Koovakad will be “a dynamic presence in the ecumenical Church.”
The official ceremony to install the new cardinals will take place on December 8, 2024, coinciding with the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. This will be the 10th consistory called by Pope Francis since he was elected Pope in 2013. The consistories are important ceremonies where new cardinals are formally installed and receive their red hats, symbolizing their readiness to act as defenders of the faith.
The newly appointed cardinals come from a diverse range of countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Italy, Britain, Serbia, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, Ivory Coast, and Algeria. Among the 21 new cardinals, 20 are under the age of 80, making them eligible to vote in the next papal conclave, which will be convened to elect a new pope when Pope Francis either passes away or steps down from his position. This group of young cardinals is seen as a reflection of Pope Francis’s desire to shape the future of the Catholic Church.
By 2025, which will be a Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church, there will be 140 cardinal electors, with almost 80 percent of them having been appointed by Pope Francis. This strong majority of cardinals chosen by the current Pope increases the likelihood that his progressive and inclusive vision for the Church will continue under his eventual successor. Church observers have noted that the presence of so many younger cardinals in the conclave could shape the direction of the Church for decades to come, ensuring that the reforms initiated by Pope Francis will have a lasting impact on the global Catholic community.
Monsignor George Koovakad’s elevation to the rank of cardinal is a significant moment not only for him personally but also for the Indian Catholic community. His career in the Vatican Diplomatic Service, his strong ties to his home archdiocese, and his close relationship with Pope Francis highlight the qualities that make him a fitting candidate for this prestigious role. The upcoming consistory on December 8 will mark a new chapter in his journey of service to the Church, and his work will continue to shape the global Catholic community for years to come.
