PM hails Indian priest’s elevation as cardinal

An Indian delegation, led by Minister of State George Kurian, on Saturday witnessed a ceremony in the Vatican, where priest George Koovakad was elevated as a Cardinal by Pope Francis.

Before the ceremony, the Indian delegation also called on the Pope. Later, in a grand consistory held at the famous St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the 51-year-old Indian priest was elevated. The ceremony witnessed the induction of 21 new cardinals.

George Koovakad hails from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala and his appointment takes the number of Indian cardinals to six, boosting the Indian presence in the Vatican.

The Indian delegation consisted of Kurian, Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, former minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar, BJP leaders from Kerala Anil Antony and Tom Vadakkan among others.

“It is a matter of immense pride for India that Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis,” the PMO said in a post on X.