HOUSTON – Following the death of Pope Francis — the first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble and pastoral style — former Dallas Bishop Cardinal Kevin Farrell will serve as interim overseer of the Vatican and preside over the conclave until a new pope is elected
READ: Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88
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The Vatican announced that Francis, 88, died of a stroke that led to a coma and ultimately heart failure.
His death was formally declared by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo — the official responsible for certifying the pope’s death and overseeing the Church’s administration during the sede vacante, the period between pontificates.
From 2007 to 2016, Farrell served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas before being called to the Vatican in 2016. He was appointed camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church in February 2019.
On Monday afternoon, Farrell presided over the traditional rites for certifying the pope’s death and placing Pope Francis’ body in his coffin. The ceremony took place in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, where Francis had lived.
Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell?
Cardinal Kevin Farrell was born in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 2, 1947, and was ordained a priest on Dec. 24, 1978. Early in his ministry, he served as chaplain of the Regnum Christi Movement at the University of Monterrey in Mexico.
He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C., by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 28, 2001. During his time there, Farrell served as moderator of the curia and chief vicar general until 2007.
On March 6, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Dallas, succeeding Bishop Charles Grahmann. He was officially installed on May 1 of that year.
Farrell’s global role expanded in 2016 when Pope Francis summoned him to the Vatican to serve Catholics around the world. He was appointed the first Prefect of the newly created Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life — an office that consolidated multiple departments to focus on laypeople and the Church’s care for those spiritually wounded.
In a press conference at the time, Farrell recalled his astonishment at receiving the call directly from Pope Francis.
Since then, Farrell has taken on several key roles within the Vatican. He was named camerlengo on Feb. 14, 2019, tasked with overseeing Church operations between papacies. On Sept. 29, 2020, Pope Francis also appointed him president of the Commission for Confidential Matters. Most recently, on Jan. 1, 2024, he was named President of the Supreme Court of Vatican City.