Monsignor Koovakkad, from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, was among the 21 new Cardinals ordained by Pope Francis.
Published Dec 08, 2024 | 11:22 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 08, 2024 | 12:10 PM
Pope Francis ordaining Monsignor George Jacob Koovakkad as a Cardinal.
Archbishop Monsignor George Jacob Koovakkad was elevated to the rank of Cardinal in a solemn ceremony at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Monsignor Koovakkad, from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, was among the 21 new Cardinals ordained by Pope Francis.
The Consistory, a prayerful event lasting around 90 minutes, began at 8.30 pm IST on Saturday, 7 December, with the Pope’s greeting and circumambulation.
Following the elevation, Monsignor Koovakkad became the first from India to be directly made a Cardinal while serving as a priest. Koovakkad, a priest belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala, was adorned with black and red headgear, unlike the others.
“My parents and my close relatives have come for the function and we are going for the function when the Pope will receive all the guests. This is God’s will which I never expected. This elevation is a selection done by God. I owe this to all who made it possible,” Koovakkad told media before the function.
During the ceremony, the Cardinals pledged their allegiance, received the Pope’s blessing, and were adorned with the traditional red cap, a smaller hemispherical cap, and a ring symbolising their new rank.
Each was also presented with a letter of ordination, culminating in the Pope’s embrace as a mark of unity.
The new Cardinals will participate in a special concelebrated Holy Mass at 1 pm IST on Sunday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady.
A thanksgiving service in Malayalam, led by Cardinal Koovakkad, will also take place at the Sant’Anastasia Syro-Malabar Basilica, followed by a reception.
Koovakkad was born on 11 August 1973 in Thiruvananthapuram and was ordained as a priest on 24 July 2004.
Soon after, he pursued further theological and diplomatic training at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and started a career in the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006. Before moving to Vatican, he had served as an assistant vicar of a parish in Kerala.
Koovakad has served in various Apostolic Nunciatures across the globe, including Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela, serving roles ranging from Secretary to Counsellor.
In 2020, he was appointed to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, taking charge of organising Pope Francis’s international travels.
On 25 October this year, Pope Francis appointed Koovakad as the titular archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey.
Prominent figures from Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Church will also participate in the liturgical ceremonies. These include Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Archbishop Thomas Tharayil, Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Mar Thomas Padiyath, and Mar Stephen Chirappanath.
A seven-member Indian delegation is attending the event, led by Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Minority Affairs George Kurian and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Other members include MPs Kodikunnil Suresh, Dr Satnam Singh Sandhu, BJP National Secretary Anil Antony, former National Secretary of the Yuva Morcha Anoop Antony, and former BJP National Spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Koovakkad’s elevation as a Cardinal was 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 follower of Lord Jesus Christ. My best wishes for his future endeavours,” Modi wrote on X.
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
