Changanasserry: Vatican Secretary to the Venezuelan Diplomatic Affairs Secretary Mon. George Koovakattu was appointed to the Public Affairs Department of the Vatican headquarters by Pope Francis. Since 2006, he has been serving in the Vatican diplomatic corps. He was the secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria, South Korea, Mongolia, Iran and Costa Rica. He is the son of Jacob Varghese and Thresiyamma, a native of Koovakattu in the Mammood Lourdesmatha parish of the Changanassery Archdiocese.