Pope Francis appoints new Indian bishop

Pope Francis has named Joseph Kodakallil as Bishop of Satna in Madhya Pradesh, the Vatican has announced.

Kodakallil, 49, was yesterday appointed by the Pope as Bishop of Satna, Vatican Radio reported.

He has been serving as Pastor of St Vincent's Cathedral in the diocese of Satna and holds a doctorate in liturgy from Rome's Pontifical Oriental Institute.

Kodakallil was born in Upputhode village in Kerala and trained as a priest in Satna.

He studied philosophy in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and theology in Vadavathoor, Kerala.