CITIZENS COMPASS– An American, Cardinal Kevin Farrell has stepped-in as the Acting Pope of the Roman Catholic church.
The Vatican made the announcement on Tuesday, following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
With the announcement Cardinal Farrell has stepped in as the interim head of the Church, marking the beginning of the interregnum (the period between the death of a pope and the election of his successor).
As Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Farrell now oversees the day-to-day administration of the Vatican. In this vital role, he is tasked with ensuring the continued functioning of the Apostolic See until the College of Cardinals convenes in a conclave to elect a new pope.
Cardinal Farrell, 77, is a seasoned Church leader with decades of experience. Born in Dublin, Ireland, and now a naturalized U.S. citizen, he previously served as the Bishop of Dallas before being appointed to key roles within the Vatican. He is also academically accomplished, holding a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.
His appointment as interim leader brings both continuity and stability to the global Church as preparations begin for the historic task of selecting a new pontiff.
