Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the elderly Vatican authorities that introduced Pope Francis’ fatality on Monday early morning, will certainly act as head of the Catholic Church till a brand-new pope is chosen, according to the Vatican.
Birthed in Ireland, the 77-year-old Farrell has lengthy incorporate the USA, having actually functioned as the diocesan of the Diocese of Dallas and supporting diocesan of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., according to the Vatican.
Pope Francis chose Farrell in 2019 to be the Camerlengo of the Divine Roman Church with the obligation of providing the residential property and incomes of the Holy See. In 2020, Francis additionally selected Farrell as head of state of the Church’s Payment on Confidential Issues and in 2023, the late pontiff raised Farrell to head of state of the Vatican City State Supreme Court, according to the Vatican.
Pope Francis welcomes Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell throughout the 37th Globe Young People Day at Parque Tejo, Aug. 6, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Vatican Pool/Getty Photos
On Monday early morning, Farrell damaged the information to the globe of Pope Francis’ fatality, reviewing a declaration at the church of the Domus Santa Marta at the Vatican, the pope’s house and where he passed away. In the statement, Farrell stated, “At 7:35 today, the Diocesan of Rome, Francis, went back to your home of the Dad.”
” Dearest bros and sis, with deep sadness I need to introduce the fatality of our Holy Dad Francis,” Farrell stated.
Standing beside Farrell for the mournful statement were Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican assistant of state, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, replacement principal of team, and Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of liturgical events.
” His whole life was committed to the solution of the Lord and his Church,” Farrell stated of Francis. “He educated us to live the worths of the scripture with integrity, guts, and global love, particularly for the poorest and marginalized. With tremendous gratefulness for his instance of a real adherent of the Lord Jesus, we applaud the heart of Pope Francis to the unlimited merciful love of the triune God.”
Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell reveals the fatality of Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.
Vatican Media through Reuters
The Divine See Press Workplace stated Farrell will certainly command the ceremony of ascertainment of fatality, or the qualification of fatality, and positioning of the late Pope Francis’ body in the casket, which is arranged to take place Monday evening.
Farrell will certainly be signed up with at the routine by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the University of Cardinals, family members of the pope and various other church authorities, according to the Vatican press workplace.
Farrell is currently accountable of the Holy See’s daily procedures throughout what is called the “Apostolica Sede Vacans,” the duration in between the pope’s fatality and the political election of the following pontiff throughout a secret celebration of cardinals in the Sistine Church.
Farrell is additionally anticipated to lead a procession carrying the pope’s body from the church of the Domus Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell reveals the fatality of Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.
Vatican Media through AP
Birthed in 1947 in Dublin, Ireland, Farrell went to the College of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian College in Rome, according to his bio on the Vatican’s web site. He holds levels in approach and faith from the College of St. Thomas in Rome. Farrell started examining for the priesthood in 1966 and was blessed a clergyman on Dec. 24, 1978, according to his bio.
After his coronation, he functioned as pastor of the Regnum Christi Activity at the College of Monterrey in Mexico.
In 1984, Farrell was incardinated in the archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where he functioned as assistant priest at St. Thomas the Apostle Church for a year prior to ending up being the supervisor of the Spanish Catholic Facility in 1986, according to his bio. He additionally functioned as the executive supervisor of the Catholic Philanthropic Organizations from 1987 to 1988. He was selected priest of the Annunciation church in Washington, D.C., in 2000 and offered till 2002.
In 2002, Farrell was selected supporting diocesan for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and offered because duty till 2007, when he came to be diocesan of the Diocese of Dallas.
In 2016, Pope Francis called Farrell to the Vatican to act as the vicar general of management and mediator of the Roman Curia, the management arm of the Holy See and the main controling body of the Catholic Church, according to his bio.
