An Irish-born American cardinal was entrusted by Pope Francis to be the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See after the death of one pontiff and before the election of another.

Following the death of Pope Francis, a cardinal from the United States has become acting head of the Vatican until a new pontiff is elected.

The death of Pope Francis has resulted in a cardinal from the United States becoming the acting head of Vatican till a new pontiff is elected. Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a Dublin-born cleric who became a naturalised American citizen after spending several years ministering in the United States.