{{Short description|Indian Cardinal of Catholic Church}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Cardinal | honorific-prefix = [[Mar (title)|Mar]] | name = George Jacob Koovakad<br />{{Script/Mdnh | ܡܵܪܝ ܓܝܼܘܲܪܓܝܼܣ ܝܲܥܩܘܿܒ݂ ܟܘܼܘܲܟܵܕ}} | honorific-suffix = | native_name_lang = Malayalam | title = [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]]<br>[[Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue|Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue]] | image =Card. George J. Koovakad.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Koovakad in 2025 | church = [[Syro-Malabar Church]] | archdiocese = [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanassery]] | province = | metropolis = | diocese = | see = | elected = | appointed = 24 January 2025 | term = | term_start = | quashed = | term_end = | predecessor = [[Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot]] | opposed = | successor = | other_post = {{ubl|Head of the Journeys Office of the [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State of the Holy See]] (2021–)|[[Sant'Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia|Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia]] (2024–)}} | previous_post = {{ubl|Official of the [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State of the Holy See]] (2006–2021)|[[Nusaybin#Chaldean Catholic titular see|Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans]] (2024)}} | ordination = 24 July 2004 | ordained_by = [[Joseph Powathil|Mar Joseph Powathil]] | consecration = 24 November 2024 | consecrated_by = [[Raphael Thattil|Mar Raphael Thattil]] | cardinal = 7 December 2024 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Francis]] | rank = [[Cardinal-Deacon]] <!-- -------- Personal details -------- --> | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1973|08|11}} | birth_place = [[Chethipuzha]], [[Kerala]], India | death_date = | death_place = | buried = | nationality = [[India|Indian]] | religion = | residence = | parents = | spouse = | children = | occupation = | profession = | education = [[SB College|SB College Changanasserry]] <br/>[[Pontifical University of the Holy Cross]] | alma_mater = [[Pontifical University of the Holy Cross]] | motto = {{unbulleted list|Fragantiam Christi caritatis effundere|(To pour out the fragrance of Christ's charity)}} | signature = | signature_alt = | coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of George Jacob Koovakad (cardinal).svg | coat_of_arms_alt = <!-------- Other -------- --> | other = | module2 = {{Ordination | denomination = Syro-Malabar Catholic Church<!-- text is not displayed; this controls the color used for the infobox; do not add brackets; see [[Template:Ordination#Automatic_coloring]] for more information--> | embed = yes |ordained deacon by = |date of diaconal ordination = |place of diaconal ordination = |ordained priest by = [[Joseph Powathil]] |date of priestly ordination = 24 July 2004 |place of priestly ordination = |consecrated by = [[Raphael Thattil]] |date of consecration = 24 November 2024<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/episcopal-ordination-of-george-jacob-koovakad-held/article68906138.ece/|title= Episcopal ordination of George Jacob Koovakad held|work=The Hindu|date=November 25, 2024|access-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref> }} }}
'''George Jacob Koovakad''' ({{langx|syr|ܡܵܪܝ ܓܝܼܘܲܪܓܝܼܣ ܝܲܥܩܘܿܒ݂ ܟܘܼܘܲܟܵܕ}}) (born 11 August 1973) is an [[India]]n [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] of the [[Syro-Malabar Church|Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]] who is prefect of the [[Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue]] since 2025. Since 2020, he has worked in the offices of the [[Holy See|Holy See's]] [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]] in the Journeys Office, which was responsible for organizing [[Pope Francis]]' overseas trips, and has headed that office since 2021. From 2006 to 2020, he served assignments in several countries while working in the diplomatic service of the Holy See.
After [[Pope Francis]] announced his intentions to make Koovakad a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] on 6 October 2024, he received [[episcopal consecration]] on 24 November and was officially made a cardinal on 7 December.
==Biography== George Koovakad was born in [[Chethipuzha]], in the municipality of [[Changanacherry]], Kottayam district, [[Kerala]], on 11 August 1973.<ref name=express/><ref name=ani/>
He earned his intermediate and bachelor's degrees in chemistry from [[St. Berchmans College|SB College, Changanassery]] in 1994 where he was also the president of Catholic Students Movement in the college.{{cn|date= October 2024}} He obtained a licentiate in 2004,<ref name=puhc/> studying at St Thomas Minor Seminary, [[Kurichy]], and St Joseph Pontifical Seminary, [[Aluva]].<ref name=matters>{{cite news | work = Matters India | access-date = 7 October 2024 | date = 6 October 2024 | first = Jose | last = Kavi | url = https://mattersindia.com/2024/10/indian-priest-among-21-new-cardinal-elects/ | title = Indian Priest Among 21 New Cardinal-Elects }}</ref> He was ordained a priest of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanacherry]] on 24 July 2004 by Archbishop [[Joseph Powathil]].<ref name=ani>{{cite news | url = https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/cbci-congratulates-monsignor-george-jacob-koovakad-on-his-appointment-as-cardinal20241007185844/ | access-date = 7 October 2024 | publisher = [[Asian News International]]| date = 7 October 2024 | title = CBCI congratulates Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad on his appointment as Cardinal| url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008024444/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/cbci-congratulates-monsignor-george-jacob-koovakad-on-his-appointment-as-cardinal20241007185844/ |archive-date= 8 October 2024}}</ref> He served for a term as assistant vicar of [[St Mary's Church, Parel]], Changanacherry.<ref name=matters/>
Moving to Rome, he obtained a doctorate in canon law in 2006 from the [[Pontifical University of the Holy Cross]] with a thesis on "The Obligation of Poverty for Secular Clerics in the Codes of Canon Law".<ref name=puhc>{{cite web | url = https://en.pusc.it/article/lalumnus-george-koovakad-phd-canonico-2006-tra-i-nuovi-cardinali | website = Pontifical University of the Holy Cross | access-date = 7 October 2024 | date = 7 October 2024 | title = Alumnus George Koovakad (PhD in Canon Law, 2006) is among the new Cardinals announced by Pope Francis }}</ref>
After completing the preparatory program at the [[Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy]], he joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 2006. He worked in the [[Apostolic nunciature|nunciature]] in Algeria and then served as secretary of the nunciature in South Korea from 2009 to 2012 and in Iran from 2012 to 2014 and as counsellor of the nunciatures in Costa Rica from 2014 to 2018 and in Venezuela from 2018 to 2020.<ref name=express>{{cite news | access-date = 7 October 2024 | work = Indian Express | url = https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-priest-monsignor-george-jacob-koovakad-elevated-to-cardinal-by-pope-francis-9607755/lite/ | date = 7 October 2024 | title = Kerala priest Monsignor George Koovakad elevated to Cardinal, oversees Pope Francis' global travels }}</ref><ref name=VN/> On 1 October 2014 he was given the title [[Chaplain of His Holiness]],<ref>Acta Apostolicae Sedis, v. CVII (2015), p. 231</ref> and on 13 December 2019 that of [[Prelate of Honour of His Holiness|Prelate of Honor of His Holiness]].<ref>Acta Apostolicae Sedis, v. CXII (2020), p. 114</ref>
In July 2020 he joined the staff of the Secretariat of State{{efn|He was working on papal trips when Pope Francis bade farewell to his predecessor and announced his role as "director" of travels while flying to Budapest on 21 September 2021.<ref>{{cite press release | publisher = Holy See Press Office | language = it | date =21 September 2021 | access-date = 7 October 2024 |title = Viaggio Apostolico di Sua Santità Francesco a Budapest... | url =https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/09/12/0560/01225.html }}</ref>}} and since 2021 has organized several papal trips, including visits to Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan, as well as a lengthy trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.<ref name=VN>{{cite news | work = Vatican News | url = https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/cardinal-elect-george-koovakad-papal-visit-organizer-nomination.html | access-date = 7 October 2024 | date = 7 October 2024| title =Cardinal-elect Koovakad is first serving organizer of papal visits to be created Cardinal | first = Andrea | last = Tornielli}}</ref>
In 2024 he visited India to lead Holy Week services at his family's home parish, Lourde Matha Parish at [[Mammood]] in Changanacherry.<ref name=matters/>
On 6 October 2024, Pope Francis announced he intended to make Koovakad a cardinal on 8 December,<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 6 October 2024 | date = 6 October 2024 | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/06/0774/01532.html | title = Annuncio di Concistoro l'8 dicembre per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 06.10.2024 }}</ref> a date that was later changed to 7 December.<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 12 October 2024 | url = https://www.ncregister.com/cna/vatican-shares-pope-francis-schedule-for-december-consistory-to-create-cardinals?amp | first = Hannah | last = Brockhaus | date = 12 October 2024 | title = Vatican Shares Pope Francis' Schedule for December Consistory to Create Cardinals | work = National Catholic Register }}</ref> According to church sources, he will remain in a post at the [[Holy See]]. Fr. Antony Vadakkekara, spokesman for the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]], said, "It is a great honor for the Syro-Malabar Church as one of its sons is elevated as cardinal directly, which is first in India." Before Koovakad's elevation to cardinal, only the [[Major Archbishop]] of the Syro-Malabar Church has been made cardinal.<ref>{{cite news |title=New cardinal boosts global recognition of Indian Eastern-rite church |url=https://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/new-cardinal-boosts-global-recognition-of-indian-eastern-rite-church/78648/2 |access-date=10 October 2024 |agency= Herald Malaysia Online |date=8 October 2024}}</ref>
Pope Francis appointed Koovakad titular archbishop of [[Nusaybin#Chaldean Catholic titular see|Nisibis of the Chaldeans]] on 25 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=25 October 2024 |publisher= Holy See Press Office |title= Resignations and Appointments, 25.10.2024 | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/25/241025b.html |access-date=25 October 2024 }}</ref> Koovakad received his episcopal consecration on 24 November 2024 in [[St. Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, Changanassery|Changanassery Cathedral]] from Major Archbishop [[Raphael Thattil]].<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 24 November 2024 | date = 24 November 2024 | work= The Hindu | url =https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/episcopal-ordination-of-george-jacob-koovakad-held/article68906138.ece/ | title = Episcopal ordination of George Jacob Koovakad held }}</ref>
On 7 December 2024, Pope Francis made him a cardinal, assigning him as a member of the order of cardinal deacons the deaconry of [[Sant'Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia]].<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 7 December 2024 | date = 7 December 2024 | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/12/07/0975/01948.html | title = Concistoro Ordinario Pubblico: Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali, 07.12.2024 }}</ref>
In place of the red biretta given to the new cardinals of the Latin rite, Francis placed a black and red shash on Koovakad's head. The shash is commonly used by other churches of [[East Syriac]] tradition, such as the [[Chaldean Catholic Church]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Philippi |first1=Dieter |title=Shash - Headgear of the Chaldean Catholic Clergy |url=https://philippi-collection.blogspot.com/2011/03/shash-headgear-of-chaldean-catholic_06.html |website=Philippi Collection |date=6 March 2011 |access-date=14 December 2024}}</ref>
On 11 January 2025, he was named a member of the [[Dicastery for the Eastern Churches]].<ref>{{cite press release |url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/01/11/250111d.html | publisher = Holy See Press Office | date = 11 January 2025 | access-date = 11 January 2025| title= Resignations and Appointments, 11.01.2025}}</ref> On 24 January 2025, he was appointed as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/01/24/0071/00143.html| publisher = Holy See Press Office | date = 24 January 2025 | access-date = 24 January 2025| title= Resignations and Appointments, 24.01.2025}}</ref> He is the third prelate from India to head a Curial department, the first from the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.<ref>{{cite news | website = The Pillar | access-date = 26 January 2025 | url =https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/syro-malabar-milestone-as-cardinal | date = 24 January 2025 | first = Luke | last = Coppen | title = Syro-Malabar milestone as Cardinal Koovakad is named prefect }}</ref> He continues to serve as head of the Journeys Section of the Secretariat of State.<ref>{{cite interview | work=Vatican News | access-date = 26 January 2025 |url = https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-01/cardinal-koovakad-interreligious-dialogue-prefect-interview.html | date = 24 January 2025 | title = Cardinal Koovakad: Interreligious dialogue can build peace | first = George | last = Koovakad | interviewer= Andrea Tornielli | quote = Cardinal Koovakad will retain his current role as organizer of papal visits. }}</ref>
Koovakad participated as an elector in the [[2025 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Leo XIV]]. As the junior cardinal deacon, he was responsible for a variety of administrative functions, such as selecting by lot the cardinals responsible for counting the ballots, and for opening and closing the doors of the [[Sistine Chapel]] as necessary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=India’s Cardinal Koovakad Plays Key Role Ensuring Secrecy, Validity of Conclave Voting |url=https://www.ncregister.com/cna/india-s-cardinal-koovakad-plays-key-role-ensuring-secrecy-validity-of-conclave-voting |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=NCR |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * [[Catholic Church in India]] * [[Cardinals created by Pope Francis]]
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bkoov.html Koovakad on Catholic Hierarchy]
{{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-bef|before=[[Karl-Josef Rauber]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Sant'Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia|Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia]]|years=7 December 2024 – present}} {{s-inc|rows=2}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue|Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue]]|years=25 January 2025 – present}} {{s-end}} {{Cardinals of the Catholic Church}} {{Cardinals created by Francis}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Koovakad, George Jacob}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1973 births]] [[Category:Christian clergy from Kerala]] [[Category:Pontifical University of the Holy Cross alumni]] [[Category:Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy alumni]] [[Category:Officials of the Roman Curia]] [[Category:Diplomats for the Holy See]] [[Category:Syro-Malabar archbishops]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Francis]] [[Category:Indian cardinals]]