Kerala catholic priest Mar George Jacob Koovakad was on Saturday elevated to the rank of Cardinal. The ceremony was officiated by Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica at 8.30 pm IST.
Along with Mar George Koovakad, 20 others were made Cardinals on Saturday in the ordination ceremony held at a consistory in the Basilica. On Sunday morning, the new Cardinals joined the Pope for a Mass.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "it is a matter of immense pride for India" that Mar Koovakad will be made a Cardinal, adding that India sent a delegation led by Union Minister George Kurien to meet Pope Francis.
It is a matter of immense pride for India that Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 7, 2024
The Government of India sent a delegation led by Union Minister Shri George Kurian to witness this Ceremony.
Prior to the Ceremony, the Indian… pic.twitter.com/LPgX4hOsAW
Who is Mar George Jacob Koovakad?
Mar George Jacob Koovakad is the first India priest to be directly elevated to the rank of Cardinal.
After becoming a part of the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006, he has served in the Apostolic Nunciature in various countries. These include Venezuela, Costa Rica, Iran, South Korea and Algeria.
The 51-year-old has been serving in the Vatican State Secretariat to oversee Pope Francis's international travels since 2020.
This is the first time that Kerala got three Cardinals simultaneously. The other two Cardinals from Kerala are Syro-Malankara Church Major Archbishop and Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos and Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop Emeritus and Cardinal Mar George Alencherry.
Mar George Koovakad is the third Cardinal from Changanassery Diocese besides Mar George Alencherry and Mar Antony Padiyara.
Besides the two existing cardinals, Catholic religious heads like Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop Mar Raphel Thattil, Mar Thomas Tharayil and former Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam attended the event.
