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News18
22-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Who Is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, The Acting Head Of Vatican After Pope Francis' Death?
Last Updated: Cardinal Kevin Farrell, former Bishop of Dallas, is now the Vatican's interim leader after Pope Francis' death, overseeing funeral arrangements and conclave preparations. Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican's interim leadership has been assumed by a U.S. cardinal until a new pope is elected. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, born in Dublin and later a naturalised American citizen, now holds this significant role. Farrell, a former Bishop of Dallas, serves as the 'camerlengo," responsible for managing the Vatican's temporal affairs following a pope's death or resignation. As camerlengo, Farrell's duties include officially confirming the pope's death, securing the pope's private quarters, and organising funeral arrangements. He also oversees the conclave's preparations, ensuring confidentiality and orderly voting. The 77-year-old holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and Irish Gaelic. His administrative skills and language proficiency have made him a valuable asset within the Church's central administration. Who Would Be The New Pontiff? A Look At Probables Pope Francis recognised Farrell's capabilities early on, appointing him in 2016 to lead the Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and later elevating him to cardinal. In 2019, he became camerlengo, and in 2023, he was also named president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court, the Commission for Confidential Matters, and the Committee for Investments. These roles highlight his influence over the Vatican's financial and administrative matters. How Pope Changed The Catholic Church, Why Did He Choose The Name Francis? Explained Farrell's ecclesiastical journey began in Dublin, where he was born in 1947. He pursued theological studies at the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Ordained on December 24, 1978, he initially served as a chaplain at the University of Monterrey in Mexico. In 1984, he joined the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., taking on roles such as director of the Spanish Catholic Center and executive director of Catholic Charitable Organizations. Pope John Paul II appointed him as an auxiliary bishop of Washington in 2001, where he served until becoming the Bishop of Dallas in 2007. His swift rise within the Vatican hierarchy continued under Pope Francis, who appointed him to oversee family life and subsequently made him a cardinal. Farrell's extensive experience in the U.S. and his pivotal roles within the Vatican demonstrate his adeptness at managing both pastoral and administrative duties. His leadership during this transitional period at the Vatican underscores his critical role in the Church's continuity and governance. First Published: April 22, 2025, 08:15 IST
News24
21-04-2025
- Politics
- News24
Pope's trusty 'Camerlengo' to run Vatican in wake of Francis's death
The Vatican is now in the hands of one cardinal, Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Known as the Camerlengo, and appointed by the pope, it is he who will lead meetings to determine the date of Francis's funeral, and supervise other organisational tasks, culminating in the Conclave to elect the next pope. Earlier on Monday, it was Farrell who announced to the world the death of the 88-year-old pope. With Pope Francis's death, the immediate running of the Vatican is now in the hands of one cardinal, Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Known as the Camerlengo, and appointed by the pope, it is he who will lead meetings to determine the date of Francis's funeral, and supervise other organisational tasks, culminating in the Conclave to elect the next pope. On Monday evening, Farrell was due to preside over the rite that would see Francis's body placed in his coffin in the chapel of the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, where the pope had resided and died. Earlier on Monday, it was Farrell who announced to the world the death of the 88-year-old pope. "This morning at 07:35, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his church," said Farrell, speaking from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. Farrell, 77, who has dual American and Irish citizenship, has served as Camerlengo since February 2019. Known for his sense of humour and for speaking Spanish with an Irish brogue, the cardinal - who once was chaplain at Mexico's University of Monterrey - now serves as the prefect for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. He was asked by Francis in 2016 to head the newly created dicastery combining the functions of two previous ones, and moved to Rome for his first Vatican posting. He was made a cardinal by Francis that same year. Since January 2024, Farrell has been president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court. Earlier, he spent the bulk of his priesthood in the United States, nearly 30 years in the Washington DC area and nine years in Dallas. In a 2016 interview in The Irish Times, Farrell explained how when his secretary in Dallas told him that Pope Francis was on the phone to tell him he would be made a cardinal, he told her, "Like hell he is". "I kept saying to her, 'No, that is one of my bishop friends, just messing.'" In his role of temporarily managing the Holy See, Farrell will be helped by three cardinals. As Camerlengo, he has the right to ask all the Vatican departments for budget reports, economic information and details on other ongoing affairs.
