Rome: Cardinal Mar George Jacob Koovakkad, an esteemed figure of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church recently elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis, has taken pastoral charge of the St. Anthony of Padua parish in Rome’s Appia district. His installation occurred on June 13, coinciding with the solemn feast honoring St. Anthony, marking a new chapter in his ministry.
The liturgical inauguration, celebrated with due solemnity, drew a host of dignitaries, including fellow cardinals, Vatican Secretariat of State representatives, and ecumenical figures. Among the honored guests were Cardinal Koovakkad’s parents and Archbishop Thomas Tharayil of Changanacherry, demonstrating strong ties to his native Kerala.
St. Anthony’s, established as a titular church in 1988 and traditionally overseen by members of the Rogationist Order, now enters a historic phase with Cardinal Koovakkad’s appointment. He becomes the third Indian prelate, and notably the first from the Syro Malabar Rite, to be entrusted with a Roman parish reflecting his growing influence within the Church’s global hierarchy .
Born in Kerala (August 1973), Cardinal Koovakkad has forged a distinguished path within the Church. After priestly ordination in 2004, he pursued advanced studies in canon law and entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 2006. His overseas postings included missions in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.
In 2021, he assumed responsibility for organizing papal international visits. His diplomatic finesse has earned praise at the highest levels of the Vatican, including from Pope Francis.
Pope Francis created him a cardinal on 7 December 2024, assigning the deaconry of Sant’Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia. Shortly thereafter, he rose to the rank of titular archbishop and, in January 2025, was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Cardinal Koovakkad’s installation at St. Anthony’s underscores a broader recognition of the Syro Malabar Church’s heritage and its growing significance within the universal Church. No longer limited to diplomatic and administrative roles, he now brings pastoral presence to a Roman parish, serving as a bridge between the Eastern and Western rites.
His pastoral appointment is seen by the faithful—particularly the Indian Christian diaspora—as a moment of pride and affirmation of their communal identity in the heart of Roman Catholicism.
In his new role, Cardinal Koovakkad is expected to focus on pastoral care, interreligious dialogue, and the spiritual cohesion of the Syro Malabar faithful in Rome. His presence symbolizes both the global outreach of the Catholic Church and the vibrant contribution of Eastern-rite traditions.
As St. Anthony’s enters this renewed era under Cardinal Koovakkad’s stewardship, the Roman parish is poised to benefit from his blend of diplomatic acumen, deep spirituality, and commitment to serving the universal Church.