Who Is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, The Acting Head Of Vatican After Pope Francis' Death?

Last Updated:April 22, 2025, 08:15 IST

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, former Bishop of Dallas, is now the Vatican's interim leader after Pope Francis' death, overseeing funeral arrangements and conclave preparations.

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. (Photo: X)

Following the , 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 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.

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.

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.

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Who Is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, The Acting Head Of Vatican After Pope Francis' Death?