Cardinal Camerlengo has the function of replacing the pontiff and organizing ceremony to choose the substitute
With the death of his 88th on Monday (21.br.2025), Irish cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, from 77 Years, he will take office interimly until the pontiff’s successor is chosen.
Farrell is the current Cardinal Camerlengo. He has been in office since February 14, 2019, when he was appointed by Francisco. The Camerlengo Denomination comes from Latin “camarlingus”which means “Sovereign Chamber employee”in free translation to Portuguese.
Camerlengo has the attribution to replace the Pope when he is absent. He is also in charge of organizing the pontiff’s funeral and the ceremony held by 120 cardinals voters to choose the new pontiff. It should be started 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death. After elected the new pontiff, the Camerlengo is also indicated by him.
During the conclave, the function of Camerlengo is to guarantee, with the external collaboration of the substitute of the Secretariat of State, the closure of Casa Santa Marta, the Sistine Chapel and the environments intended for liturgical celebrations to unauthorized persons.
It is also his responsibility to receive the sweetening of the cardinals about the secret vote and to watch, along with the 3 assistant cardinals, so that the confidentiality of the ceremony that occurs in the sistine chapel is not violated.
When the new pontiff is chosen, the Camerlengo should ask the then cardinal if he accepts the outcome of the election.
Papa Francisco and Irish cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who has been playing Camelngo of the Catholic Church since February 2019
Who is Kevin Joseph Farrell
Born on September 2, 1947, in Dublin (Ireland), Kevin Joseph Farrell studied at the University of Salamanca, Spain, and at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. Degree in Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical São Tomás de Aquino University in Rome, Camerlengo is a master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Notre Dame, United States.
In 1966, he entered his religious career by the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and was ordered priest on February 24, 1978, in the Vatican, by Cardinal Eduardo Francisco Pironio. He was chaplain at the University of Monterrey, Mexico, professor of economic studies and responsible for the Legionaries of Christ in countries of Europe such as Italy, Spain and Ireland.
Farrell began the pastoral service at the São Bartolomeu parish in Bethesda, Washington (USA) in 1983. Between 1984 and 1988, he held several positions as vice-president of the São Tomás Apostle Church, director of the Spanish Catholic Center and executive director of the Catholic Charity Organization. In 1989, he assumed the Secretariat for Financial Affairs, where he stayed until 2001, and was a parish priest of the Church of the Annunciation from 2000 to 2002.
The cardinal was appointed bishop of Rusucuru and Washington assistant by Pope John Paul 2 (1978-2005) on December 28, 2001 and Episcopal Consecration was on February 11 of the following year. On March 6, 2007, he was invited by Pope Benedict 16 (2005-2013) to conduct the diocese of Dallas (USA), where he took over May 1st.
During the ministry, Farrell held several positions: Chancellor of the University of Dallas; Member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic University of America, Papal Foundation, Basilica – National Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception, São Lucas Institute, Washington; President of the new evangelization of America; National Delegate of International Eucharistic Congresses; Member of the Board of Directors of the Irish College Pontifical in Rome and Episcopal Moderator of the consultation for the financial management of the diocese.
On August 15, 2016, Pope Francis (2013-2025) appointed him mayor of the pontifical advice for lay people, family and life. In November of the same year, he was consecrated Cardinal in the consistory and, in December, received the cardinal ring, the barrete and the title of Cardinal-Diácono of St. Juliano Martyr.
He became a Catholic Church in 2019 and chairman of the Commission for Confidential Affairs in 2020. On June 1, 2022, he was appointed a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments Discipline. Since January 1, 2024, he has been president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court.
