Father George Koovakad

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Indian Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad of the Syro-Malabar Church, official of the Secretariat of State and organizer of papal trips, was created a cardinal by Pope Francis during the consistory at St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 7, 2024.

Pope Francis taps travel agent Cardinal Koovakad to lead Interreligious Dialogue dicastery

Jan 24, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 51-year-old Koovakad, originally from the southern Indian state of Kerala, was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope... Read more

Pope Francis addresses journalists aboard the papal plane heading to Mongolia, with Cardinal-elect George Jacob Koovakad at left, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Meet Pope Francis’ personal travel agent — new cardinal George Koovakad

Nov 7, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pontiff introduced Father George Jacob Koovakad to the world in 2021 as someone who is “always smiling.” Read more

Latest news

A smiling Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square on April 13, 2025, in a surprise visit at the end of the outdoor Palm Sunday Mass.

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at Palm Sunday Mass

At least 33 people have been reported dead and thousands displaced following April 5-6, 2025, flooding that cut access to over half of the Congolese capital of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Congolese bishops express ‘spiritual closeness’ with victims of deadly floods in Kinshasa

The main entrance to the Armenian Patriarchate and the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem.

Armenian Patriarchate takes legal action to halt Jerusalem’s tax foreclosure

A priest holds palms on Palm Sunday.

The most common questions about Palm Sunday — and their answers

The choir, clergy and guests stand during the ceremony to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedral on Dec. 7, 2024, in Paris, France. After five years of restoration, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened its doors to the world in the presence of Emmanuel Macron and around 50 heads of state, including President-elect Donald Trump, invited for the occasion.

Record number of adult baptisms in France shows surge among youth

Students from local schools lead the Colorado March for Life at the state capitol on April 11, 2025.

More than 3,500 gather for Colorado March for Life

Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback speaks to EWTN News Nightly Anchor Mark Irons on Friday, April 11, 2025.

Former ambassador Sam Brownback praises Trump's religious freedom pick: 'It's in his DNA'

Pope Francis kneels in prayer before the revered Marian icon "Salus Populi Romani" at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, April 12, 2025.

Pope Francis makes prayerful visit to Marian basilica before Holy Week

Seminarians live active lives, balancing prayer, studies, fraternity, and exercise. The Nazareth House provides seminarians with a healthy space to recreate, pray, cook, and share meals together.

University of Mary and Diocese of Phoenix launch first-ever Catholic seminary in Arizona

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Vatican announces theme for 2025 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

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