A milestone for India in the Vatican: Kerala-born Monsignor Koovakad's elevation to cardinal today

The ordination of Kerala-born Archbishop Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad as cardinal will take place in Vatican City on Saturday, November 25, at 9 PM IST. Pope Francis will elevate Koovakad, along with 20 other new cardinals, during a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica. Following the ordination, the new cardinals will visit the Vatican Palace to receive the Pope's blessing. On Sunday, at 1 PM IST, they will gather with the Pope to offer the Eucharist.

Several 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 George Kurian, Minister of State for the Ministry of Minority Affairs, 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.

Background of Archbishop Koovakad
Pope Francis appointed Koovakad as the titular archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey on October 25. Koovakad, 51, received his episcopal consecration on November 24 in Changanassery from Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil. Koovakad is part of the Vatican's diplomatic corps and has represented the Church in Algeria, Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and various other locations within the Vatican’s diplomatic missions.

Koovakad, who was ordained a priest on July 24, 2004, holds a doctorate in canon law and served as assistant vicar in a parish in Kerala before moving to the Vatican. He is the first Indian Catholic priest to be directly elevated to receive the red biretta.