camerlengo
noun
cam·er·len·go
ˌka-mər-ˈleŋ-(ˌ)gō 
plural camerlengos
: a cardinal who is appointed by the pope and charged with specific duties (such as certifying the pope's death and preparing a conclave) during a papal interregnum
The night before the funeral, the camerlengo presides over the closing and sealing of the coffin, in the presence of other senior cardinals.—
Nicole Winfield
Nicole WinfieldExamples of camerlengo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The timing and arrangements for the public viewing will be decided by the College of Cardinals, with the camerlengo overseeing the procession.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Following the ceremony, the camerlengo drafts a document to authenticate the pope's death, and secures the pontiff's private papers, sealing his apartments.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
After certifying, the camerlengo will assist other cardinals in the preparation for the papal election, or conclave.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025
The camerlengo also takes custody of the Vatican’s property in Rome and supervises details for the upcoming conclave.
—Daniel Speed Thompson, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
The Ring of the Fisherman is smashed by the camerlengo with a ceremonial hammer, marking the end of the deceased pope’s reign.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Currently, the camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, a 77-year-old American of Irish origin.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The camerlengo also administers the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See until a new pope is chosen.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025
The camerlengo is then expected to take possession of the pontiff’s bespoke Ring of the Fisherman and crush it with a silver hammer.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Feb. 2025
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Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Following the ceremony, the camerlengo drafts a document to authenticate the pope's death, and secures the pontiff's private papers, sealing his apartments.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
After certifying, the camerlengo will assist other cardinals in the preparation for the papal election, or conclave.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025
The camerlengo also takes custody of the Vatican’s property in Rome and supervises details for the upcoming conclave.
—Daniel Speed Thompson, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
The Ring of the Fisherman is smashed by the camerlengo with a ceremonial hammer, marking the end of the deceased pope’s reign.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Currently, the camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, a 77-year-old American of Irish origin.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The camerlengo also administers the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See until a new pope is chosen.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025
The camerlengo is then expected to take possession of the pontiff’s bespoke Ring of the Fisherman and crush it with a silver hammer.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Camerlengo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camerlengo. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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