Originally published at National Catholic Register
The cardinal-designate noted that he was brought up in a Catholic environment where daily Mass was encouraged and he prayed evening prayers daily with his parents and grandparents.
Pope Francis’ personal travel agent — the priest who organizes his trips around the world — is one of the 21 clerics who will be made a cardinal at a consistory at the Vatican in December.
The Pontiff introduced Father George Jacob Koovakad to the world in 2021 as someone who is “always smiling.”
In late 2021, Father Koovakad, a Vatican diplomat, became the coordinator for papal travels, working in the section for general affairs of the Secretariat of State to arrange Francis’ trips, including his recent historic visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
The 51-year-old cardinal-designate is from Chethipuzha in the southern Indian state of Kerala. He is part of the Syro-Malabar Church, one of the Catholic faith’s Eastern Rite Churches.
Soon-to-be Cardinal Koovakad explained in an Oct. 25 interview with Vatican News that the Syro-Malabar Church originates with the apostle St. Thomas, who brought the Christian faith to India in the first century.
“I come from this vibrant community where the faith is passed
