Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a Dublin-born cleric from the United States, has become the acting head of the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis. As the camerlengo, a position he holds since 2019, Farrell will oversee the daily administration of the Vatican and chairs a committee of three other cardinals.
Farrell’s duties include overseeing funeral preparations, certifying the pope’s death, and making practical arrangements for the conclave. He also has access to financial information from Vatican departments and can demand budgets and financial statements.
A well-qualified camerlengo, Farrell holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and Irish Gaelic. Pope Francis had appointed him as his trusted collaborator, making him the leader of the Vatican’s family life department before appointing him as a cardinal.
Farrell has also been involved in various other roles, including President of the Vatican City State supreme court, Chairman of the Commission for Confidential Matters, and member of the Committee for Investments. He was born in 1947, left Ireland at 18, and joined the Legionaries of Christ before leaving decades later.
As the church prepares for a new pontiff, Farrell will focus on ensuring a smooth transition, having backed Pope Francis’ merciful approach to divorced and remarried Catholics.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/21/europe/cardinal-kevin-farrell-camerlengo-pope-francis-intl/index.html