Named Prefect of the Vatican Library by Pope John Paul II on 25 May 1997, he was the second-highest official in that office, successively under Cardinals Luigi Poggi and Jean-Louis Tauran.

On 12 June 2008 in addition to his main duties he was appointed by Benedict as a member of congregations in the Roman Curia [1][permanent dead link‍].

In August 2010 Farina said that Pope John Paul II declined then-Cardinal Ratzinger's request to spend his last years as the archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church.

In June 2013 Pope Francis by chirograph named Cardinal Farina president of the five member Pontifical Commission investigating the Institute for the Works of Religion.

[3] The other members are, Cardinal Tauran, Peter Brian Wells, Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru who will act as Coordinator and Mary Ann Glendon.