Camerlengo Kevin Farrell was born and raised in Dublin.@VaticanNews, X
Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, a native of Dublin, will play an important role in the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.
The Holy See press office announced on Wednesday - the same day Pope Francis' coffin was transferred from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica where he is now lying in state - the role that Farrell will play in the coming days.
Farrell "will preside over the rite of the closing of the coffin of the Roman Pontiff Francis, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (nos. 66-81)" at 8 pm on Friday, the Holy See press office said today.
The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held at 10 am on Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter's Basilica. Ireland is set to be represented by President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Tánaiste Simon Harris.
Saturday, the Vatican said, is the first day of the Novendiali, the nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.
The Holy See press office also confirmed on Wednesday that following the funeral Mass for Pope Francis on Saturday, the coffin will be accompanied to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major for interment, as per the Pope's wishes.
Farrell will preside over the internet of the coffin, as provided for "in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (nos. 110-123)."
The arrangements are in line with Pope Francis' spiritual testament, which he penned in June 2022 and which was revealed on Monday following his death.
"I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major," the Pope wrote.
"I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
"The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus."
The Pope said the cost of preparing his burial "will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, "which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major."
As Camerlengo, Farrell, who was raised in the Drimnagh area of Dublin, was the one to formally announce the death of Pope Francis on Monday morning.
Later that day, it was confirmed that Pope Francis died from "stroke," "coma," and "irreversible cardiovascular collapse." It was noted that he had a "previous episode of acute respiratory failure in the context of bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia," "multiple bronchiectasis," "arterial hypertension," and "type II diabetes."
Following the Pope's death, Farrell is now the acting head of the Vatican until a new Pope is selected.
On Monday evening, Farrell officially ascertained the death of Pope Francis. He also joined Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra to seal the doors of the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and the door to the apartment of the Casa Santa Marta, where the late Pope Francis lived.
On Wednesday, he was at the forefront of the transfer of Pope Francis' coffin from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica, where he is now lying in state until Friday night.