Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - The person tasked with leading the Catholic Church until a replacement for Pope Francis is elected, is a man from Dublin called Kevin Joseph Farrell.
Raised in an Irish-speaking household in the working-class
suburb of Drimnagh, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell has risen to become one of
the most powerful men in the Vatican.
The 77-year-old’s firm opposition to same-sex
marriage stands in contrast to Pope Francis’s decision to allow priests to
bless same-sex couples.
However, this didn’t stop the late Pope from appointing him
"camerlengo", giving him responsibility for ensuring a smooth
transition.
After certifying Francis’s death, Farrell will prepare
for the papal conclave, through which the next Pope will be elected.
This private gathering of cardinals at the Vatican must take
place within 15 to 20 days of the Pope’s death.
Behind closed doors, cardinals will discuss and keep voting
until a majority selects a successor.
White smoke released from a Vatican chimney will
indicate the moment when this task is complete.
Farrell will likely stay on in his position as camerlengo
after this until he turns 80 or resigns for health reasons.
But there is a slim chance it is Farrell himself who will be
elected by his peers to serve as the next Pope.
Currently the odds are in favour of the progressive Luis
Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who would be the first Asian Pope, or the
continuity candidate Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Farrell’s career rose to new heights when Pope Francis was elected in 2013
following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
The late Pope appointed him to a newly created role at the
Vatican in 2016, rising to the rank of camerlengo in 2019.
When Pope Francis died, Farrell said: "His
entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church.
"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.
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