camerlengo

American  

[kam-er-leng-goh] / ˌkæm ərˈlɛŋ goʊ /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

• camerlengos
  plural

1. the cardinal appointed treasurer of the Holy See, who, upon the death of the pope, presides over the conclave that elects the new pope.

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camerlengo British  

/ ˌkæməˈlɛŋɡəʊ, ˌkæməˈlɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. RC Church a cardinal who acts as the pope's financial secretary and the papal treasurer

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• camerlengos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of camerlengo

1615–25; < Italian camerlingo < Germanic; akin to Old High German chamarlinc chamberlain

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

camerlengo

No cause of death was announced in a statement released by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo who will lead the church until a new pope is named.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2025

After the death of a reigning pope, the person in charge of ordinary affairs at the Vatican until the election of a new pope is the camerlengo, or chamberlain.

From Reuters ● Dec. 30, 2022

As Francis is already Pope, there is considerable uncertainty about what the camerlengo will do.

From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2022

The camerlengo has no role or duties if the pope is merely sick or otherwise incapacitated.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 6, 2021

After all, Ugolini was cardinal camerlengo under Urban.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea