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

Inflected Forms

noun

• camerlengos
  plural

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 • Apr. 22, 2025

The person who runs the Vatican from the death of one pope to the election of another is called a "camerlengo", currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2022

During that period, known as the “sede vacante,” or “empty See,” the camerlengo, or chamberlain, runs the administration and finances of the Holy See.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2021

The camerlengo ostensibly intends to save the Vatican from an antimatter attack plotted by various church conspirators.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2020

Now, suddenly, his agent is in my home, demanding that I, the cardinal camerlengo of the Sacred College, risk death by torture to deceive the pope and betray the Church.

From The Saracen: Land of the Infidel by Shea, Robert