Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, appointed Camerlengo in 2019, officially announced the death of Pope Francis on Monday, 21 April. As Camerlengo, Farrell plays a crucial role in overseeing the Church between papal transitions, and he will be directing preparations and managing the conclave until the election of a new Pope. On Monday evening, 21 April, Farrell was scheduled to lead the rite confirming the death of Pope Francis and oversee the placement of his body in the coffin at the chapel of the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

Farrell announced the Pope’s passing from Casa Santa Marta and presided over the formal rites that evening. His appointment to the role makes him the highest position ever held by an Irish clergyman within the Vatican. Born in Dublin, 1947, Farrell was raised in the working-class area of Galtymore Park in Drimnagh, in an Irish-speaking household. Despite his roots, Farrell is often referred to in the U.S. as an American cardinal due to his dual citizenship and his many years working in the States.

Farrell attended universities in Spain and Italy, earning his licentiate in philosophy and theology from the University of St. Thomas in Rome. In 1966, he entered the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and was ordained a priest on 24 December 1978. He proceeded to work in Mexico, serving as chaplain of the Regnum Christi Movement, and exercised his pastoral ministry in Washington, DC., since 1983, where he held several leadership roles. Pope Francis named him a cardinal in 2016 and soon after invited him to serve in the Roman Curia, as prefect of the new Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. He was appointed titular bishop of Rusuccuru and auxiliary of Washington in December 2021, and President of the Vatican City State Supreme Court in 2023.

Farrell is known for his candid views, criticising priests’ roles in marriage preparation and facing controversy when denying Mary McAleese a platform at a Vatican women’s event. He has also addressed his past association with disgraced former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, denying prior knowledge of abuse allegations.

Despite controversy, Farrell remains a key figure in Church governance and is now guiding the Vatican through one of its more significant transitions, preparing for the election of the next pope following the passing of Pope Francis.