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6d ago

Cardinal Kevin Farrell Takes Charge as Acting Vatican Head Following Pope Francis's Death

As the first American camerlengo, Farrell oversees the Vatican's transition while the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new pope.

FILE - Catholic Bishop Kevin Farrell walks to speak to media outside the the Diocese of Dallas Catholic Conference and Formation Center on Oct. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Cardinal Kevin Farrell talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Rome on July 31, 2018.
FILE - New Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, prefect of the Vatican dicastery for laity, family and life, receives the red three-cornered biretta hat from Pope Francis inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Nov. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
FILE - Bishop Kevin Farrell speaks at a news conference in Dallas, March 6, 2007, after being named by Pope Benedict XVI as the new head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin, File)

Overview

  • Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 AM local time, with his death officially announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell at 9:45 AM.
  • Cardinal Farrell, the camerlengo, has completed certification of the pope's death and sealed his residence, marking the start of the papal interregnum.
  • Farrell, a naturalized American citizen born in Dublin, Ireland, is the first American to hold the role of camerlengo and act as head of the Vatican.
  • The College of Cardinals is now organizing the conclave to elect the next pope, while Farrell's administrative authority remains limited to day-to-day operations.
  • Farrell’s extensive career includes leadership roles in the U.S. and Vatican, with qualifications such as an MBA and multilingual proficiency aiding his interim responsibilities.