Cardinal Connell will take possession of his titular church, San Silvestro in Capite, in Rome tomorrow at 5.30 p.m. Mass.
"It was with very great joy that I learned of the Holy Father's decision to grant me the title of this church," the Cardinal said. "With a past stretching back to the eighth century, and with even earlier associations, it preserves in its history the memory of popes, martyrs and saints."
San Silvestro was "greatly distinguished" by artistic beauty in architecture, painting and sculpture, Dr Connell added.
The Church has many beautiful works of art, including a high altar designed by Michelangelo. It was the titular church of the late Basil, Cardinal Hume of Westminster, and is popular for marriage ceremonies amongst English-speaking couples.
"Cardinal Connell is the first Irish Cardinal Priest of San Silvestro," said the parish priest, Fr Denis O'Brien of the Irish Pallotines. "His appointment is a source of great pride and joy to us."