Bishop Kevin Farrell, Image by Andrew Incowtown.
14 February 2019, Holy See: Bishop of Rome, Franciscus I, appointed the Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell as the new “camerlengo”, that is, the prelate who runs the Holy See in the interregnum between the death or resignation of a pontiff, and the election of a new one.
Cardinal Farrell, 71, was in born in Ireland and is the highest-ranking United Stater at the papal household. He succeeded the French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, who passed away in July 2018. The camerlengo, or chamberlain, acts as a sort of regent during the Holy See’s vacancy, and matters related to the Vatican city-state during the period known as the .
Wheras the position is steeped in tradition and rituals, he cannot make any major decisions and cannot change Church teachings. In the case of a papal death, the camerlengo is the person who officially confirms it, traditionally by tapping the pontiff’s head three times with a silver hammer and calling out his name. He then seals the papal residence and office.
In 2013, Benedictus XVI became the first pontiff in six centuries to abdicate; then Cardinal Tauran began his duties the day the resignation took effect. Franciscus I, aged 81, appears to enjoy good health.
For further information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camerlengo_of_the_Holy_Roman_Church
