Cardinal Koovakad Visits UK for Interfaith Talks

LONDON, October 19, 2026: Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, is visiting the United Kingdom from October 16 to 22 to engage religious communities and promote interfaith understanding under the theme “Together in Prayer and Dialogue for Peace.”

The cardinal’s first official visit to the UK includes meetings in London and Birmingham with representatives of various faith traditions, including Dharmic and Sikh communities.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Cardinal Koovakad said interreligious dialogue offered Catholics an important opportunity to witness to their faith while fostering mutual respect and understanding. He emphasised that promoting lasting peace was a shared responsibility of all religious communities.

The programme also marks the 10th anniversary of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain. The cardinal is scheduled to address seminarians, highlighting the importance of building relationships across religious communities at the grassroots level.

The previous official UK visit by the head of the dicastery was in 2013, when Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran met religious leaders and engaged with faith communities across Britain.

The visit forms part of the Holy See’s wider efforts to strengthen interreligious relations and encourage peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

Courtesy: EWTN News