Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, is undertaking his first official visit to the United Kingdom.
Running Oct. 16–22, the high-profile visit centers on the theme "Together in Prayer and Dialogue for Peace."
Koovakad's itinerary includes visits to London and Birmingham, featuring meetings with representatives from various faith traditions, including members of the Dharmic and Sikh communities.
The weeklong journey includes marking the 10th anniversary of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain and addressing seminarians to emphasize grassroots bridge-building.
The last official visit to the U.K. by the head of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue took place in 2013, when Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran undertook a similar high-profile journey to engage with faith communities in Britain.
As Pope Leo XIV recovers at Rome's Gemelli Hospital following a successful surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, high-profile diplomatic initiatives like Koovakad's U.K. visit are vital for maintaining the Vatican's active global engagement and reinforcing the Holy See's continuous commitment to interfaith bridge-building and peace.
Speaking ahead of the trip, the cardinal stressed that interreligious dialogue remains a fundamental opportunity for Catholics to witness to their faith. He noted that fostering mutual understanding, respect, and enduring peace is a shared responsibility for all believers.
