PM Modi extends best wishes to George Koovakad, 1st Indian to be elevated to Cardinal

Koovakad, currently based in the Vatican, has the responsibility of organising the international travel schedule of Pope Francis. He joined the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006 after completing his formation at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Born on August 11, 1973, in Thiruvananthapuram, Koovakad became a priest on July 24, 2004, and later pursued training for diplomatic service at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. In 2006, he began his diplomatic career at the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria. He has served in Apostolic Nunciatures in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.