Sedes Sapientiae seminary is happy to have the first cardinal alumnus in its history. On October 6, the pope Francis made the surprise announcement at the end of his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square when he nominated 21 new cardinals. Msgr George Jacob Koovakad, the responsible of the apostolic journeys of the Pope, a former student of Sedes Sapientiae was one among them.
Msgr Koovakad was born in Chethipuzha (India) on August 11, 1973, he was ordained a priest in 2004. He belongs to the archeparchy of Changanacherry of the Syro Malabar Church. He was a student of Sedes Sapientiae from 1999 to 2004, while he did his bachelors in theology (2002) and licentiate in canon Law (2004). He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See and worked in the nunciatures in Algeria, Korea, Iran, and Costa Rica.
Msgr Koovakad will be consecrated as archbishop on 24 November, in his home diocese of Changanacherry, India. To the new Cardinal, who will be created along with the others in the Consistory on December7, 2024, the Seminary community extends prayerful wishes.