Verghese V Joseph –
Vatican: Pope Francis has officially appointed Mons. George Jacob Koovakad as a cardinal during a recent announcement made from St. Peter’s Square. This significant elevation comes as part of a broader consistory set for December 8, 2024, where 21 new cardinals will be created, reflecting the Pope’s commitment to enhancing the global representation within the Catholic Church.
During his Angelus address on October 6, Pope Francis expressed his joy in announcing the upcoming consistory, stating, “Their provenance expresses the universality of the Church, which continues to announce the merciful love of God to all men on earth.” This statement underscores the Pope’s ongoing effort to ensure that church leadership reflects a diverse and inclusive global community.
Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad is a 51-year-old Indian priest from the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Changanacherry, Kerala. Msgr. Koovakad joined the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006, after completing his formation at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He has served in Apostolic Nunciatures in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Currently, he is an official in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, overseeing the Holy Father’s travels.
Mons. Koovakad is among a distinguished group of new cardinals that includes bishops from various countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Japan, and Iran. This selection not only highlights the Pope’s focus on global peripheries but also acknowledges the contributions of key allies in his papacy.
As a cardinal, Mons. Koovakad will now participate more directly in the governance of the Church and contribute to its mission on a global scale.
His appointment is particularly noteworthy given that it aligns with Pope Francis’s vision of moving away from a predominantly Western-centric leadership structure towards one that embraces voices from all corners of the globe. This shift is indicative of a broader strategy aimed at revitalizing the Church’s engagement with diverse cultures and communities.
The upcoming consistory on December 8 coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a day that holds great significance in Catholic tradition. The timing reflects not only spiritual importance but also serves as a symbolic beginning to the Christmas season in Rome. The inclusion of new cardinals from various regions emphasizes Pope Francis’s desire to showcase the Catholic Church’s universality and its mission to spread God’s love worldwide.
In total, there will be 21 new cardinals elevated during this consistory. Among them are notable figures such as Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi from Tokyo and Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu from Tehran-Ispahan. This diverse lineup reinforces Pope Francis’s commitment to inclusivity and representation within Church leadership.
In his address, Pope Francis called for prayers for the new cardinals, urging them to help him in his ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all faithful people. He emphasized that being appointed as a cardinal is not merely an honor but a service that requires humility and dedication to Christ’s mission.
The Pope’s consistent focus on appointing cardinals from various backgrounds reflects his understanding that each region offers unique insights and experiences that can enrich the global Church. By elevating leaders like Mons. Koovakad, he aims to foster a more interconnected and responsive ecclesiastical body.
Mons. George Jacob Koovakad’s appointment as cardinal marks an important milestone not only in his personal journey but also in Pope Francis’s ongoing efforts to reshape Church leadership for a modern world. As he prepares to take on this new role, Koovakad represents both continuity and change within the Catholic Church—a bridge between tradition and a more globally aware future.
The December consistory promises to be a momentous occasion, celebrating not only these new appointments but also reaffirming the Church’s commitment to its mission across all nations and communities. As preparations unfold, Catholics around the world are encouraged to reflect on this significant development and pray for guidance as these new leaders step into their roles within the Church’s hierarchy.
New Cardinal Appointees
The list of new cardinals includes a diverse array of prelates from various countries, highlighting Pope Francis’s focus on regions often overlooked in ecclesiastical appointments. Notable appointees are:
HE Mons. Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio;
HE Mons. Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio , Archbishop of Lima, Peru;
HE Mons. Vicente Bokalic Iglic, CM, Archbishop of Santiago del Estero, Primate of Argentina;
HE Mons. Cabrera Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, OFM, Archbishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador;
HE Mons. Natalio Chomalí Garib , Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, Chile;
HE Mons. Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi , SVD, Archbishop of Tokyo, Japan;
HE Mons. Pablo Virgilio Siongco David , Bishop of Kalookan, Philippines;
HE Mons. Ladislav Nemet, SVD, Archbishop of Beograd -Smederevo, Serbia;
HE Mons. Jaime Spengler, OFM, Archbishop of Porto Alegre;
HE Mons. Ignace Bessi Dogbo , Archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory Coast;
HE Mons. Jean-Paul Vesco , OP, Archbishop of Algiers, Algeria;
HE Mons. Paskalis Bruno Syukur, OFM, Bishop of Bogor, Indonesia;
HE Mons. Joseph Mathieu , OFM Conv. , Archbishop of Tehran Ispahan, Iran;
HE Mons. Roberto Repole , Archbishop of Turin, Italy;
HE Mons. Baldassare Reina , from today Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome;
HE Mons. Francis Leo , Archbishop of Toronto, Canada;
HE Mons. Rolandas Makrickas , Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major;
HE Mons. Mykola Bychok , C.Ss.R. , Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians;
Rev. Father Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, OP, theologian;
Rev. Father Fabio Baggio, CS, Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development;
This selection includes bishops from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, reflecting a conscious effort by Pope Francis to represent the Church’s global character.