Cardinal Kevin Farrell recalls a pivotal moment when Pope Francis asked him to assume the role of camerlengo, the Vatican official who oversees the Holy See during the transition period between the death of one pope and the election of another. This significant request came as they were returning to Rome from the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama, with Francis casually broaching the topic in business class.
At the time, Farrell, then 77, had been in Rome for only a few years. He had been unexpectedly called from his position as bishop of Dallas to reorganize the Vatican’s laity office, which was a core component of Pope Francis’ reform efforts. Three years into this role, he was asked to take on the responsibilities of the camerlengo, a position steeped in tradition and responsibility, managing the Vatican during the “interregnum” and organizing the conclave for electing a new pope.
Farrell humorously recounted in an interview in 2022 that he accepted the role on the condition that the pope would preach at his funeral, reflecting his hope to never act as camerlengo and to die before Francis. This sentiment underscored his reluctance to bear such responsibility and his admiration for Francis, who he believed had shifted the Catholic Church towards a message of inclusion and renewal, moving away from a defensive posture.
In the wake of Pope Francis’ death, Farrell has stepped into the spotlight, albeit temporarily, until the election of a new pope. He officially announced the pope’s passing from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where Francis had resided. In a statement broadcasted on Vatican television, he highlighted Francis’ life-long dedication to the service of the Church.
The camerlengo’s duties involve certifying the pope’s death, sealing the papal apartment, and breaking the pope’s fisherman’s ring, symbolizing a vacancy at the Holy See. He leads the funeral procession into St. Peter’s Basilica and oversees the burial. Farrell also receives detailed reports on the Vatican’s financial status, a task for which his financial acumen is well-suited. As head of several top Vatican committees, his expertise positions him to guide the Church’s financial future during this transitional period.
Cardinal Farrell, an Irish-born American, was born in Dublin on September 2, 1947. He joined the Legionaries of Christ in 1966 and was ordained in 1978, later leaving the order to become a diocesan priest in Washington. With a strong background in finance, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming bishop of Dallas in 2007. During his tenure in Washington, Farrell insisted he was unaware of the misconduct of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked following a 2019 investigation.
Farrell describes his time in Dallas as fulfilling until an unexpected call from the pope in 2016 changed his course. Initially skeptical that the pope would use the phone, he was surprised to hear the voice of Francis, who knew of Farrell’s fluency in Spanish due to his time in the Mexican-based Legion. This call led to Farrell’s appointment to the Vatican’s laity office, where he was tasked with implementing lay-led governance.
Upon his move to Rome in October 2016, Farrell’s new role was swiftly followed by his appointment as a cardinal. This transition marked his prominent role in Pope Francis’ vision for the Church, with responsibilities extending beyond Francis’ tenure.
