What to Know About Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Interim Leader of the Catholic Church Until a New Pope Is Elected

Cardinal Kevin Farrell to Lead Catholic Church Until New Pope Is Elected

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the senior Vatican official who formally announced the death of Pope Francis on Monday morning, will serve as the acting head of the Catholic Church until a new pope is chosen, according to Vatican sources.

Born in Ireland, the 77-year-old cardinal has deep connections to the United States. He previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Dallas and as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

In 2019, Pope Francis appointed Farrell as Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church — the official responsible for overseeing the administration of the Vatican’s property and finances during the period known as sede vacante (the time between pontificates). The following year, he was named president of the Church’s Commission on Confidential Matters, and in 2023, he was elevated to president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court.

On Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the news of Pope Francis’ death to the world, reading a solemn statement at the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta — the Pope’s residence and the place where he passed away.

"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," Farrell announced.

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," he continued, his voice echoing through the chapel during the somber moment.

Standing alongside Farrell were Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State; Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs; and Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies — underscoring the gravity of the occasion.

Reflecting on the late pontiff’s legacy, Farrell added, "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in defense 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 Triune God."

Farrell to Oversee Rite of Death Certification and Coffin Placement for Pope Francis

According to the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Kevin Farrell will preside over the rite of ascertainment of death — the formal certification of Pope Francis’ passing — as well as the ceremonial placement of the late pontiff's body into the coffin. The ritual is scheduled to take place on Monday night.

Cardinal Farrell will be accompanied by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, along with members of Pope Francis' family and other high-ranking Church officials, the Vatican confirmed.

Farrell Assumes Leadership of the Holy See During Sede Vacante

Cardinal Kevin Farrell has taken over the day-to-day operations of the Holy See during the Apostolica Sede Vacans — the period between the death of a pope and the election of his successor in the conclave, held behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel.

As Camerlengo, Farrell is also expected to lead the solemn procession that will transfer Pope Francis’ body from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where it will lie in state for public veneration.

A Look at Cardinal Farrell’s Early Life and Education

Born in 1947 in Dublin, Ireland, Cardinal Kevin Farrell began his path to the priesthood in 1966. He pursued his ecclesiastical studies at the University of Salamanca in Spain and later at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

According to his official Vatican biography, he earned degrees in both philosophy and theology from the University of St. Thomas in Rome. Farrell was ordained a priest on December 24, 1978, marking the beginning of a decades-long service in the Catholic Church.

Farrell’s Ministry Journey from Mexico to the Vatican

Following his ordination in 1978, Cardinal Kevin Farrell began his ministry as chaplain of the Regnum Christi Movement at the University of Monterrey in Mexico.

In 1984, he was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where he initially served as assistant pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Just two years later, in 1986, he became director of the Spanish Catholic Center. From 1987 to 1988, he also led Catholic Charitable Organizations as its executive director. In 2000, Farrell was appointed pastor of Annunciation Parish in Washington, a position he held until 2002.

That same year, he was named auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, where he served until 2007, when he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Dallas.

In 2016, Pope Francis brought Farrell to the Vatican, appointing him as vicar general of administration and moderator of the Roman Curia — the Church's central governing body responsible for the daily operations of the Holy See.