{"id":2425860,"date":"2025-04-21T16:05:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T20:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-cardinal-kevin-farrell-the-american-acting-head-of-the-vatican\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T16:06:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T20:06:44","slug":"who-is-cardinal-kevin-farrell-the-american-acting-head-of-the-vatican","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-cardinal-kevin-farrell-the-american-acting-head-of-the-vatican\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the American acting head of the Vatican?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwho-is-cardinal-kevin-farrell-the-american-acting-head-of-the-vatican%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2425860&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Cardinal Kevin Farrell has assumed the role of acting head of the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis. As the camerlengo, farrell is responsible for overseeing specific duties during the transitional period until a new pope is elected. Notably, he will conduct the ritual of certifying Francis&#8217;s death and secure the pope&#8217;s residence. Farrell expressed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-prince-philip-husband-to-queen-elizabeth-dead-at-99\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Prince Philip, Husband To Queen Elizabeth, Dead At 99\">deep sorrow<\/a> at the loss of Francis, praising his dedication to the Church and his teachings on universal love and service to marginalized communities. Born in Ireland and a naturalized American citizen, Farrell has had a important career within the Church and is recognized as the first American camerlengo. Despite his current position, he does not hold governing power, which rests with the College of Cardinals who will convene to elect the next pope.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the American acting head of the Vatican?<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2101755\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Cardinal Kevin Farrell became the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3385772\/pope-francis-death-next-steps-new-pope-catholic-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">acting head<\/a> of the Vatican after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3322925\/pope-francis-leader-catholic-church-dead-at-88\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pope Francis&rsquo;s death<\/a> on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Farrell is the camerlengo of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/catholic-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Catholic Church<\/a>, acting as a personal appointee of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/04\/21\/g-s1-61662\/kevin-farrell-camerlengo-vatican-pope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">pope and carrying<\/a> out &ldquo;a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">specific series<\/a> of functions in the crucial time of transition from one pope to his successor.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3386476\/karoline-leavitt-abrego-garcia-shame-on-chris-van-hollen\/\">Karoline Leavitt blasts support for Abrego Garcia: &#8216;Shame on Sen. Chris Van Hollen&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3386584\/liberal-media-scream-chris-matthews-returns-unhinged-jim-acosta\/\">Liberal Media Scream: Chris Matthews returns more unhinged than ever<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3386445\/melania-trump-kindness-book-reading-children-white-house-easter-egg-roll\/\">Melania Trump promotes kindness while reading to children at White House Easter egg roll<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Farrell&rsquo;s job is critical in the aftermath of the pope&rsquo;s death. On Monday evening, Farrell will preside over the ritual of certification of Francis&rsquo;s death, including the laying of his body in a coffin in the chapel of the Vatican guesthouse where Francis lived. Later, Farrell will lock and seal the pope&rsquo;s residence.<\/p>\n<p>The pope&rsquo;s death was announced by Farrell on Monday morning.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church,&rdquo; Farrell said. &ldquo;He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/after-surprise-appearance-at-st-peters-square-on-easter-sunday-pope-francis-has-died-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"After surprise appearance at St. Peter\u2019s Square on Easter Sunday, ... has died - Washington Examiner\">infinite merciful love<\/a> of the One and Triune God.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning,&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/De4pEZkvs9\">pic.twitter.com\/De4pEZkvs9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Vatican News (@VaticanNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VaticanNews\/status\/1914273634257940588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>Farrell is the first American camerlengo and likely the first American head of state for the Vatican. He was born in 1947 in Dublin, Ireland, and attended the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He began studying for his priesthood in 1966 and was ordained in 1978.<\/p>\n<p>He is a naturalized American citizen and has worked in the United States for over 30 years. He had posts as the auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C., between 2002 and 2007, and was the bishop of Dallas from 2007 to 2017.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cardinal Kevin Farrell, head of the Vatican&rsquo;s family and laity office, talks during an interview with the Associated Press in Rome, Tuesday, July 31, 2018. (AP Photo\/Paolo Santalucia, file)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In 2016, Farrell left the U.S. to become a prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My assistant, administrative assistant, came in and said, &lsquo;The Pope&rsquo;s on the telephone,&rsquo; and I felt like saying, &lsquo;Yeah, yeah.&rsquo; Eventually, she did put on the Pope, and he told me that he would like me to go to Rome because Dallas needed a much better bishop than I am,&rdquo; Farrell<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcdfw.com\/news\/local\/who-is-kevin-farrell-the-former-dallas-bishop-who-was-chosen-to-announce-pope-francis-death\/3821224\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> said.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>He became camerlengo in 2019, and Francis named him <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaticannews.va\/en\/pope\/news\/2023-06\/farrell-zuppi-lojudice-gambetti-judiciary-appointments.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">president <\/a>of the Supreme Court of Vatican City State in 2023.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/magazine-features\/3331913\/watching-ailing-pontiff-pope-francis-what-comes-next-catholic-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WATCHING AN AILING PONTIFF: WHAT COULD COME NEXT FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While Farrell is the acting head of Vatican City, he does <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/john-paul-ii\/en\/apost_constitutions\/documents\/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">not have control<\/a> over the government. That power is held by the College of Cardinals, which will elect a new pope in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>The first votes for electing a new pope will take place after the cardinals come together for the conclave.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2101755\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2101755\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican? He assumed this role following Pope Francis&#8217;s death on Monday. As camerlengo, he serves as a personal appointee of the pope and performs essential duties during the transition to a new pope<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2425861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Kevin-Farrell.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[53838,53837,33551,36610,9367],"class_list":["post-2425860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-american-cardinal","tag-cardinal-kevin-farrell","tag-catholic-church","tag-church-leadership","tag-vatican"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Kevin-Farrell.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2425860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2425860"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2425860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2425864,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2425860\/revisions\/2425864"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2425861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2425860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2425860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2425860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}