Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad is a trained Vatican diplomat and Syro Malabar archbishop from Kerala, India, who has organized Pope Francis’ international trips since 2021.

Born on August 11, 1973, in Chethipuzha, Changanacherry, Kerala, India, Koovakad comes from a “vibrant community where the faith is passed down through generations as a family treasure.” Attending daily Mass was “encouraged,” he has said, and he “never missed daily evening prayer with my family members.” He credits the faith of his family, especially his grandparents, parents and ordained uncle for helping him to discover his vocation to the priesthood.

Koovakad completed his intermediate and bachelor’s degrees in chemistry from SB College, Changanassery, where he also served as the president of the Catholic Students Movement. He then pursued his religious education at St Thomas Minor Seminary, Kurichy, and St Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Aluva, obtaining a licentiate in 2004.

Ordained priest on July 24, 2004, by Archbishop Joseph Powathil, Koovakad initially served as an assistant vicar at St Mary’s Church, Parel, Changanacherry. He then moved to Rome to further his studies, earning a doctorate in canon law in 2006 from Opus Dei’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

After also completing his formation at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 2006, Koovakad joined the Vatican’s diplomatic service. His diplomatic career included assignments in various countries beginning with Algeria (2006-2009), then South Korea (2009-2012), Iran (2012-2014), Costa Rica (2014-2018), and Venezuela (2018-2020).

In July 2020, Koovakad returned to Rome to work as an official in the Secretariat of State. Since 2021, he has been responsible for organizing Pope Francis’ international travels, including visits to Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and a lengthy trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore in 2024.

Koovakad has also received several honors throughout his career: he was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness in 2014, and in 2019 named Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.

Pope Francis appointed Koovakad as titular archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans and he was consecrated archbishop on November 24, 2024, at Changanassery Cathedral.

The Pope elevated Archbishop Koovakad to cardinal on December 7, 2024, making Koovakad one of the Church’s youngest cardinals at the age of 51.

Koovakad says he sees two main challenges for the Church and the world: “First, we must recognize the presence of Jesus in our fellow beings and serve them. Second, we are to acknowledge that God has confided a precious responsibility to each one of us for the stewardship of the physical universe and to take care of our common home.” He aligns with Pope Francis’ positions on safeguarding the environment, fostering human fraternity, and reaching out to the poor and the marginalized.

Demonstrating his high regard for Cardinal Koovakad, in September 2023 Pope Francis made a video call to Koovakad’s 95-year-old grandmother to inquire about her health and offer his blessings.

Koovakad says that to “spread the fragrance of Christ’s love” (from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians) is his priority and his chosen episcopal motto. “Whatever we radiate should flow from Jesus.”

Cardinal Koovakad is multilingual, and speaks English, Malayalam, and Italian fluently.