Following the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell has been appointed to oversee the Catholic Church during the transitional period before a new pope is elected.
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Cardinal Farrell was raised in a close-knit, Irish-speaking family in the working-class suburb of Drimnagh. Over the decades, he has risen through the ranks of the Church to become one of the Vatican’s most influential figures.
Now 77, Farrell currently holds the role of Camerlengo, a position he was appointed to by Pope Francis in 2019. Despite differences in views—most notably his strong opposition to same-sex marriage contrasting with Pope Francis’s progressive stance on blessing same-sex couples—the late pontiff entrusted him with one of the Church’s most critical responsibilities: ensuring a smooth transition of papal authority.
As camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell’s first duty was to officially certify the Pope’s death. He will now oversee the preparations for the Papal Conclave, the secretive assembly of cardinals that must convene within 15 to 20 days of the Pope’s death to elect a successor.
During the conclave, cardinals from around the world will meet behind closed doors within the Vatican, engaging in rounds of discussion and voting. The process continues until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority. The successful election is traditionally signaled by the release of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Although his role as interim leader is temporary, Cardinal Farrell will remain camerlengo until he turns 80 or steps down due to health concerns. There is also a remote possibility he could be chosen as the next pope, though he is not considered a frontrunner.
Current speculation favors Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, a progressive figure who would become the first Asian Pope, or Cardinal Pietro Parolin, known as a ‘continuity candidate’ for his close working relationship with Pope Francis.
Cardinal Farrell’s ascent in the Vatican began in earnest after the 2013 election of Pope Francis. In 2016, he was appointed to a newly established Vatican department, and three years later, he was named camerlengo.
Upon Pope Francis’s death, Farrell issued a tribute, saying: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
