camerlengo

[ kam-er-leng-goh ]

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

, plural cam·er·len·gos.

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

/ ˌkæməˈlɪŋɡəʊ; ˌkæməˈlɛŋɡəʊ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of camerlengo¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of camerlengo¹

C17: from Italian camerlingo, of Germanic origin; compare chamberlain

Example Sentences

As cardinal camerlengo, he announced, 'We believe we have a pope.'

From Project Gutenberg