Things to know about the new acting pope, Cardinal Kevin Farrell

Following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, the Vatican has appointed Cardinal Kevin Farrell as the acting pope, taking on a prominent role at a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1947, Cardinal Farrell’s journey to prominence within the Vatican is a testament to his decades of service to the Church. A naturalized US citizen, Farrell dedicated over 30 years to working with various church communities across North America. He served as the Bishop of Dallas, Texas, from 2007 to 2016, before his significant rise within the Vatican ranks.

Farrell’s academic pursuits took him to prestigious institutions, including the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he honed his theological education. Ordained as a priest in 1978, he initially began his service as a chaplain at the University of Monterrey in Mexico.

In 2016, Pope Francis appointed Farrell to the newly established Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, marking a key moment in his Vatican career. That same year, he was elevated to the status of cardinal, further solidifying his importance within the Church. In 2019, Pope Francis entrusted him with the role of camerlengo, responsible for overseeing the governance of the Vatican during periods of sede vacante (vacancy of the papacy).

More recently, in 2024, Farrell was appointed president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court, positioning him at the center of the Vatican’s legal and administrative structure.

With Pope Francis’s death, Cardinal Farrell now steps into the role of acting pope, a critical responsibility during this transitional period for the Catholic Church. His vast experience and longstanding service to the Church make him a central figure as the Vatican navigates this time of change.