Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his happiness after Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad from Kerala was appointed as a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis at a ceremony held at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
In a message shared on social media platform X, PM Modi stated, “This is a moment of great joy and pride for India! I am delighted to see His Eminence George Jacob Koovakad being named a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church by His Holiness Pope Francis. He has dedicated his life to serving humanity as a devoted follower of Lord Jesus Christ. I wish him all the best for his future endeavors.”
A delegation from India was present at the Vatican to witness this significant event. Archbishop Koovakad, who is from the Chenganassery diocese, received his title from Pope Francis. In a conversation with Vatican News, he shared, “I hail from Kerala, India, and I belong to the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern Church that is in full communion with the Catholic Church. The faith was brought to us by Saint Thomas the Apostle in the first century.”
Reflecting on the Christian community in India, he remarked, “India has much to offer the world, particularly with its long-standing tradition of tolerance, which serves as a model for many. Additionally, India’s culture is deeply spiritual and emphasizes that peace can be nurtured in all aspects of life through mutual respect and brave dialogues.”
Born in Chethipuzha, Kerala, Cardinal Koovakad was ordained as a priest in 2004 in Changanacherry. He later joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See, serving in various countries including Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Since 2021, he has been involved in organizing Papal Journeys, according to Vatican News.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, George Kurian, expressed his pride in leading the official Indian delegation to the Vatican for Cardinal Koovakad’s ordination. In his post on X, he mentioned, “PM Narendra Modi’s commitment to equal rights for all religions has made India a safe country for minorities. It is an honor to represent our nation at this significant event, showcasing Modi Ji’s affection for Kerala and the Christian community.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also conveyed his pleasure regarding the Indian delegation’s presence at this meaningful occasion, stating on X, “I am delighted that Minister George Kurian could lead our delegation to the Vatican for this auspicious event.”
