Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell is the camerlengo, or acting head of the Vatican, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. As camerlengo, he is responsible for administering the property and revenues of the Holy See and overseeing the Vatican’s day-to-day operations during the period known as “Apostolica Sede Vacans,” the time between the death of a pope and the election of a new one.
Born on September 2, 1947, in Dublin, Ireland, Farrell was ordained a priest in 1978. He spent much of his career in the United States, serving as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington from 2002 to 2007 and then as bishop of Dallas until 2017. In 2016, Pope Francis called him to Rome to serve as prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. He was made a cardinal later that year and appointed camerlengo in 2019. In 2024, he became president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court.
Farrell’s responsibilities as camerlengo include confirming the pope’s death, organizing the conclave to elect the next pope, and managing the Vatican during the sede vacante. He announced Pope Francis’ death publicly and will preside over the rites related to the late pope’s passing.
In addition to his role as camerlengo, Farrell holds several important Vatican positions, including president of the Commission for Confidential Matters and president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court. He has been a member of various dicasteries and commissions within the Church’s governance structure.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell is the current acting head of the Vatican as camerlengo, overseeing the Church’s administration during the transition period following Pope Francis’ death. He is an Irish-born American cardinal with extensive experience in both the United States and the Vatican hierarchy.
