Irish-born cardinal announces Pope Francis’ death

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

An Irish-born cardinal made the announcement to the world that Pope Francis had died.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, 77, confirmed that the head of the Catholic Church had died on Easter Monday after bouts of ill health including pneumonia.

Cardinal Farrell is camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, a key role during “sede vacante”, the period when the Church is without a pope.

Kevin Joseph Farrell was born on September 2nd, 1947 in Dublin and lived on Galtymore Park in Drimnagh, Dublin.

At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta:

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome,…

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025

After finishing primary and secondary school, he attended the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, before being ordained as a priest on December 24th, 1978.

In August 2016, Pope Francis called him to serve in the Roman Curia, as prefect of the new Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life.

Father Michael Collins, who has authored books about Pope Francis, said that as camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell had the role of verifying the Pope’s death.

“So what happens next is, it was an Irishman, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who actually made the official announcement of the Pope’s death to the world,” he told RTÉ Radio.

“He is what’s called the camerlengo, the key keeper, and he’s got the position of verifying the pope’s death.”