India’s Archbishop George Koovakad Becomes Cardinal in Vatican

Rome: India's Archbishop George Koovakad becomes cardinal in Vatican City on Sunday. The formal ceremony for the creation of these Cardinals held at St Peter's Basilica.   

George Jacob Koovakad, a 51-year-old priest from Kerala , will be officially honoured with the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis in a ceremony scheduled for December 8, 2024.

The Government of India sent a delegation led by Union Minister Shri George Kurian to witness this ceremony.

Who is George Koovakad ?

George Jacob Koovakad, a 51-year-old priest, was born and raised in Kerala. He belongs to the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Changanacherry, a prominent Catholic community in India. 

Koovakad has served in various locations across the globe, including Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Koovakad served as a secretary to the counsellor in these missions in churches across the world. In 2020, George Koovakad was appointed to the Vatican's Secretariat of State, a challenging position wherein he was looking after Pope Francis’s international travels.

George Koovakad's who is now becoming a cardinal in Vetican city is a hestoric moment for India. 

PMO shared a social media post on Saturday evening saying, “It is a matter of immense pride for India that Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis.

The Government of India sent a delegation led by Union Minister Shri George Kurian to witness this Ceremony.

Prior to the Ceremony, the Indian delegation also called on His Holiness Pope Francis.”

The priest, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Changanacherry, is currently based in the Vatican.

The formal ceremony for the creation of these Cardinals is scheduled for December 8