As the sacred conclave to elect the next Pope begins, Cardinal Mar George Koovakkad will be a central figure in orchestrating its early proceedings. Entrusted with vital duties, Cardinal Koovakkad will oversee the drawing of lots to assign specific roles to nine members of the College of Cardinals — a ceremonial yet crucial step in maintaining the integrity of the election.
He will designate three cardinals to count the votes, three to collect ballots from infirmed electors who cannot be physically present, and three to supervise and confirm the accuracy of the final tally. Beyond this, Mar Koovakkad has also been assigned the solemn responsibility of opening and sealing the doors of the Sistine Chapel — the highly secured and symbolically sacred space where the conclave is held in complete confidentiality. After the counting of votes, he will oversee the ritual burning of ballots — a traditional act signaling the conclusion of each voting round.
Cardinal Koovakkad will further select the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, summoning them to begin preparations for the announcement of the new Pontiff once a decision is reached.
Elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis on October 6, 2024, and consecrated on December 7, Cardinal Koovakkad holds the distinction of being the first Indian to be directly appointed as a cardinal while still a priest. He was later consecrated as a Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans on November 24.
A veteran of Vatican diplomacy, Cardinal Koovakkad has served in several key postings across Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela, and has played an instrumental role in coordinating Pope Francis’ international missions since 2020. Currently, he heads the Dicastery for the Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue, reflecting his deep commitment to fostering understanding across faiths.
As the conclave begins, all eyes are on the Vatican — and on Cardinal Koovakkad, whose steady hands now guide the centuries-old process that will determine the spiritual leader for over a billion Catholics worldwide.