Pope Francis Elevates Indian Priest George Jacob Koovakad To Cardinal

Pope Francis elevated Indian Catholic priest George Jacob Koovakad to the rank of Cardinal during a ceremony at St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, on Saturday.

Alongside Koovakad, 20 other priests from various countries were inducted as Cardinals in the presence of the top Catholic clergy.

Photo Credit: X

Who is George Jacob Koovakad?
George Jacob Koovakad, hailing from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, is now the sixth Indian Cardinal, a significant milestone for Indian representation in the Catholic Church hierarchy.

Born on 11 August 1973 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Koovakad joined the Catholic clergy in 2004. He later underwent specialised training in diplomatic service at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

His diplomatic career within the Catholic Church began in 2006 at the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria. Over the years, he held several key positions, including:

Secretary of the Nunciature in South Korea (2009-2012)
Secretary of the Nunciature in Iran (2012-2014)
Counsellor of the Nunciature in Costa Rica (2014-2018)
Counsellor of the Nunciature in Venezuela (2018-2020)

Since 2020, Koovakad has been serving at the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, overseeing the organisation of the Pontiff's international travels. Additionally, he holds the titular position of Archbishop of Nisibis, Turkey.

Recognition and Celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged this achievement, stating on 'X' (formerly Twitter): "It is a matter of immense pride for India that Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis."

A matter of great joy and pride for India!

Delighted at His Eminence George Jacob Koovakad being created a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church by His Holiness Pope Francis.

His Eminence George Cardinal Koovakad has devoted his life in service of humanity as an ardent… pic.twitter.com/CCq749PiZv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2024

An Indian delegation, including members of the Union Cabinet and senior politicians, attended the ceremony, reflecting the significance of Koovakad's elevation.

Koovakad's induction into the rank of Cardinal highlights the growing prominence of Indian clergy within the global Catholic community, symbolising a boost to India's representation in the Church's leadership.