camerlengo

American  

[kam-er-leng-goh] / ˌkæm ərˈlɛŋ goʊ /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

plural

camerlengos

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.

---

camerlengo British  

/ ˌkæməˈlɛŋɡəʊ, ˌkæməˈlɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of camerlengo

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

Example Sentences

During this time, Cardinal Kevin Farrell is acting as the cardinal camerlengo, a person appointed by the pope and tasked with certain duties during the transition to a successor, NPR reported.

From Los Angeles Times

The most notable figure in the room is Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is the Pope's "camerlengo" or chamberlain and runs the Vatican until a new Pope is chosen.

From BBC

Ahead of the transfer, a moment of prayer will be led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is acting as the camerlengo - the person who runs the Vatican after the death or resignation of a pope.

From BBC

After announcing that the pope had "returned to the home of the Father", Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell took on one of his biggest roles yet: the "camerlengo", or the person who runs the Vatican after the death or resignation of a pope.

From BBC

Years after naming him as camerlengo, in 2023, Francis chose Farrell as president of the Supreme Court of Vatican City State.

From BBC