He travels in the shadows throughout the duration of the papacy and then when the period of the Vatican's vacant seat begins or as soon as the Pontiff closes his eyes on the earthly world, he becomes the key figure
An American born in Ireland will be in charge of the Vatican until the election of the new pope. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camarlengo since 2019, was in charge of officially announcing the death of Francis and will bear on his shoulders the weight of the bureaucracy and organization of the Church – including Bergoglio's funeral and the preparation of the conclave – until a new pontiff occupies the chair of St. Peter.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell plays a key role after the death of the Pope: as a Camerlengo, the American Cardinal must ensure that the election of the Pope takes place smoothly.