In the scenic setting of Vatican City, Cardinal Kevin Farrell reminisces about the moment when Pope Francis unexpectedly appointed him as the camerlengo, the Vaticanโs official responsible for overseeing the transition period between the death of one pope and the election of another. This significant conversation took place aboard a flight returning to Rome from the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama, where Francis casually posed the question in the relaxed atmosphere of business class.
Cardinal Farrell, aged 77 at the time, had only been in Rome for a few years. Previously, he was unexpectedly called away from his position as bishop of Dallas to reorganize the Vaticanโs office dedicated to laity, a crucial element in the reforms of Francis. Three years into his role, Francis asked him to take on the additional responsibility of camerlengoโa position shrouded in centuries of tradition yet essential in managing the Vatican during the โinterregnumโ period, guiding it through the turbulence that can often follow a papal death and facilitating the conclave for electing a new pope.
โI agreed on one condition,โ Farrell humorously recalled in an interview, as he recounted the high-flying conversation back in 2022โwith a smile evident. This condition being that Pope Francis would preach at his own funeral, capturing his hope to pass away before Francis, thus avoiding the heavy duty entrusted to a camerlengo. This light-hearted remark had a double meaning: not only did Farrell hope to avoid the substantial responsibility, but personally, he didnโt wish to dwell on the possibility of outliving Francis. He credited the pope with leading the Catholic Church away from defensiveness over cultural issues and towards a welcoming message true to the Gospel.
Farrell highlighted a prior concern of constant self-defense within the church, noting, โWe were perpetually in a state of self-preservation,โ lauding how Pope Francis steered them away from it towards embracing inclusion and guidance. Yet now, with the passing of Francis, Cardinal Farrell has been pulled by tradition into the spotlight during the interim period until the next pope is elected. Upon announcing Francisโ death from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, Farrell expressed that Francisโ life was entirely devoted to serving both the Lord and his church.
In line with tradition, the camerlengo handles the formal announcement of a popeโs death, the ceremonial sealing of the papal apartments, and the destruction of the popeโs ringโan emblem symbolizing the vacancy in the Holy See. The role extends to leading the procession of the papal coffin into St. Peterโs Basilica and overseeing the burial. His duties also include reviewing reports from Vatican offices on their finances and assets, preparing for the transition to the next pope, and coordinating with other senior cardinals in preparing for the conclave.
Irish-born American Farrellโrenowned for his straightforward approachโacknowledged that his financial responsibilities are far more critical than ceremony and more aligned with his expertise. Currently, he leads several Vatican committees on finance, investments, and confidential issues, besides serving as head of its supreme court, a role that complements delivering financial insights for a new pope.
Born in Dublin on September 2, 1947, Farrell joined the Legionaries of Christ religious order in 1966 and was ordained in 1978. His time with the order ended six years later, long before allegations about the founderโs sexual abuse surfaced. Farrell went on to serve as a diocesan priest in Washington, taking charge of financial responsibilities in the archdiocese despite not completing his MBA. His duties led to him serving as auxiliary bishop under ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and ultimately becoming bishop of Dallas. Farrell repeatedly stated he did not hear of misconduct rumors concerning McCarrick during his time in Washington.
Farrell was content in Dallas when his secretary announced a call from the pope in May 2016, a message that he initially dismissed as a prank; however, the call was genuineโFrancis was on the line, speaking in Spanish. Although the two hadnโt met, the pope was aware of Farrellโs fluent Spanish from his time in the Legion.
Francis, recognizing Farrellโs inclination towards empowering qualified laypeople in church roles, asked him to apply the same philosophy at the Vatican. Tasked with merging the laity, family, and life departments, Farrell was initially hesitant. However, after a follow-up call from Francis personally inviting him to discuss the task, Farrell found himself in an unavoidable situation. In October 2016, Farrell moved to Rome to take charge of the laity office. In a matter of hours, it was announced that he would be made a cardinal, indicating the significant trust Francis placed in himโan association further solidified with his camerlengo appointment, suggesting that his influence would remain even after Francisโ departure.