George Jacob Koovakad
Stored: George Jacob Koovakad, George Jacob Koovakad
| His Eminence George Jacob Koovakad | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Changanacherry |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 24 July 2004 by Archbishop Joseph Powathil |
| Consecration: | 24 November 2024 by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | George Jacob Koovakad August 11, 1973 Chethipuzha, Kerala, India |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Education: | Pontifical University of the Holy Cross |
| Motto: | Spread the Fragrance of Christ’s Love |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | South Asia |
| Rite: | Syro-Malabar Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
George Jacob Koovakad, born August 11, 1973, is an Indian Catholic cardinal and Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue since January 2025. A member of the Syro-Malabar Church, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024, becoming the first Indian priest directly appointed cardinal without prior episcopal ordination. Known for organizing papal journeys since 2021, his diplomatic service across Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela has shaped his ministry, emphasizing interreligious dialogue and service to the marginalized in the Syro-Malabar Rite.[1][2][3]
Born in Chethipuzha, Kerala, Koovakad earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and joined the Vatican’s diplomatic service in 2006. As a cardinal, he serves as the “Sistine Doorman” in the 2025 papal conclave, a role reflecting his youth and curial prominence, while his appointment to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue underscores his commitment to fostering human fraternity and environmental stewardship.[4][5][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
George Jacob Koovakad was born on August 11, 1973 in Chethipuzha, a district in Changanacherry, Kerala, India, to a devout Syro-Malabar Catholic family.[1] Raised in a vibrant faith community tracing its roots to Saint Thomas the Apostle, he attended St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Kurichy, where his vocation was nurtured by his uncle, a priest, and Archbishop Joseph Powathil.[2][3] His early involvement in the Catholic Students Movement at SB College, Changanassery, where he served as president, deepened his commitment to service.[1]
Growing up in Kerala’s rich cultural milieu, Koovakad developed a passion for interreligious dialogue, influenced by India’s diverse religious landscape. His family’s emphasis on faith as a “treasure” and his exposure to the Syro-Malabar Rite’s traditions shaped his later diplomatic and curial roles, focusing on compassion for the poor and environmental care.[7][8]
Education
Koovakad earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from SB College, Changanassery, in 1994 before entering the priesthood.[1] He studied philosophy and theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva, and later at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, obtaining a baccalaureate in 2002, a licentiate in 2004, and a doctorate in canon law in 2006 with a thesis on “The Obligation of Poverty for Secular Clerics in the Codes of Canon Law.”[2][9] He also trained at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy for Vatican diplomatic service.[8]
His academic formation in Rome emphasized canon law and diplomacy, equipping him for roles in the Holy See. His studies under Professor Luis Navarro and residence at the Pontificio Collegio Internazionale Maria Mater Ecclesiae fostered a global perspective, aligning his moderate theological stance with Pope Francis’ focus on the poor and interreligious dialogue.[9][3]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 24 July 2004 by Archbishop Joseph Powathil for the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, Koovakad served as assistant vicar at St. Mary’s Church, Parel, Changanacherry.[1][10] In 2006, he joined the Vatican’s diplomatic service, serving in apostolic nunciatures in Algeria (2006–2009), South Korea (2009–2012), Iran (2012–2014), Costa Rica (2014–2018), and Venezuela (2018–2020).[2] He was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness in 2014 and Prelate of Honor in 2019.[8]
In July 2020, Koovakad joined the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, and since 2021, he has coordinated Pope Francis’ international journeys, including trips to Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and a 2024 Asia-Oceania pilgrimage.[4] His priesthood emphasized service to the marginalized, reflecting his doctoral focus on clerical poverty and his motto, “Spread the Fragrance of Christ’s Love.”[7][3]
Bishop
Appointed titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans by Pope Francis on 25 October 2024, Koovakad was consecrated on 24 November 2024 by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil at St. Mary’s Metropolitan Church, Changanacherry.[1][11] Elevated to cardinal on 7 December 2024, he received the deaconry of Sant’Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia, marked by a black and red shash, a symbol of the East Syriac tradition.[2] On 24 January 2025, he became Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, succeeding Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, while continuing as head of the Journeys Section.[4]
Koovakad’s curial role focuses on interreligious dialogue, environmental stewardship, and human fraternity, aligning with Pope Francis’ priorities. In the 2025 papal conclave, he serves as the “Sistine Doorman,” the junior Cardinal-Deacon, a role noted in X posts for its symbolic significance.[5][12] His diplomatic experience and youth position him as a key figure in the Vatican, with X posts highlighting his representation of Kerala’s 2,000-year-old Syro-Malabar Rite tradition.[13][6]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nisibis of the Chaldeans | Titular Archbishop | 25 October 2024 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2024 |
Significant events
- Entered St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Kurichy in 1987.[9]
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Changanacherry by Archbishop Joseph Powathil in 2004.[1]
- Earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome in 2006.[8]
- Joined the Vatican’s diplomatic service, serving in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela from 2006 to 2020.[2]
- Appointed head of the Journeys Section of the Secretariat of State, organizing papal trips, in 2021.[3]
- Appointed titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans by Pope Francis on 25 October 2024.[1]
- Consecrated archbishop by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil on 24 November 2024.[11]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024, with the deaconry of Sant’Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia.[2]
- Named member of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches on 11 January 2025.[1]
- Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue on 24 January 2025.[4]
- Served as the “Sistine Doorman” in the 2025 papal conclave, as noted in X posts.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No known books or publications authored by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad have been identified as of May 2025, though his doctoral thesis, “The Obligation of Poverty for Secular Clerics in the Codes of Canon Law,” was completed in 2006.[3]
External links
- George Jacob Cardinal Koovakad, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- KOOVAKAD Card. George Jacob, Vatican Press Office
- Meet Cardinal-elect George Jacob Koovakad, Vatican News
- Episcopal ordination of George Jacob Koovakad held, The Hindu
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 George Koovakad, Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 KOOVAKAD Card. George Jacob, Vatican Press Office
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Meet Pope Francis’ personal travel agent — new cardinal George Koovakad, Catholic News Agency, 7 November 2024
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Cardenal Koovakad nuevo Prefecto del Dicasterio para el Diálogo Interreligioso, Vatican News, 24 January 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A key bit of Conclave housekeeping, @roccopalmo on X, 30 April 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Meet the 4 Indian Cardinals, @WojPawelczyk on X, 27 April 2025
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Meet Cardinal-elect George Jacob Koovakad, Vatican News, 25 October 2024
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, The College of Cardinals Report, 6 December 2024
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 George Koovakad, French Wikipedia
- ↑ George Jacob Cardinal Koovakad, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Episcopal ordination of George Jacob Koovakad held, The Hindu, 24 November 2024
- ↑ Chi è il cardinale George Koovakad, @fanpage on X, 28 April 2025
- ↑ The next Pope will be elected, @Christo_Sena on X, 27 April 2025
- Cargo Note**: The infobox fields `home_diocese` is likely defined as a "Page" type in the
Stored: George Jacob Koovakad, George Jacob Koovakad
| George Jacob Koovakad | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | |
| Consecration: | |
| Rank: | |
| Created cardinal: | |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | [[]] |
| Education: | |
| Motto: | |
| Role: | |
| Theology: | |
| Region: | |
| Rite: | |
| Conclave Eligibility: | |
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