Pope Francis has selected George Jacob Koovakad, a trusted Vatican diplomat and his personal travel coordinator, to head the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. This decision comes after the passing of Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, who previously led the department and passed away on November 25, 2024, at the age of 72 following a prolonged illness. Ayuso, a Spanish prelate, was widely regarded as an authority on Islam.
Koovakad, a 51-year-old originally from Kerala in southern India, was appointed as a cardinal by Pope Francis in December 2024. Prior to his elevation, he had served as the Vatican’s coordinator for papal travels since late 2021. His role involved arranging the Pope’s international trips as part of the Secretariat of State’s general affairs section. Along with his diplomatic experience, Koovakad holds a doctorate in canon law, highlighting his academic credentials in Church governance and law.
Having served in the Holy See’s diplomatic corps for 14 years, Koovakad is also a member of the Syro-Malabar Church, one of the Eastern-rite Churches of the Catholic faith. His appointment as a cardinal was historic, marking him as the first Syro-Malabar priest to be elevated directly from the priesthood, as noted by a spokesperson for the Church.
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, which Koovakad now leads, was established during the Second Vatican Council to formalize the Catholic Church’s approach to fostering relationships with other religions. This shift was outlined in the Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate.
Pope Francis has consistently emphasized interreligious dialogue as a cornerstone of his papacy. This commitment has been evident in his numerous visits to countries with non-Christian majorities and his involvement in initiatives promoting interfaith understanding. A significant milestone in this effort was the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which underscored the Pope’s vision for unity across religions.
Koovakad has played a pivotal role in organizing many of these interfaith-focused journeys. His contributions include coordinating the Pope’s trips to Kazakhstan and Bahrain in 2022, Mongolia in 2023, and more recently to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore in September 2024. These visits underscored Pope Francis’ commitment to building bridges between the Catholic Church and diverse religious communities around the globe.
Koovakad’s new role at the Dicastery positions him as a key figure in continuing and expanding these efforts.