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 camerlengo, or chamberlain, of the Church runs things during the conclave, including overseeing the conclave itself.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo is also responsible for destroying the Fisherman's Ring and the lead bulla, which serve as seals for papal documents, according to Encyclopedia Brittanica.
—James Powel, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo, a cardinal in the Catholic Church, is in charge of organizing the election in a process known as the conclave, which was recently dramatized in the award-winning 2024 film Conclave.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
According to tradition, the camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, is the official responsible for certifying the pope's death and initiating the formal protocols.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
The papal apartments are locked The camerlengo locks and seals the pope's apartment.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
During a papal interregnum, all leaders of the Vatican offices cease to carry out their work aside from the camerlengo and two others.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
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
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Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo is also responsible for destroying the Fisherman's Ring and the lead bulla, which serve as seals for papal documents, according to Encyclopedia Brittanica.
—James Powel, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo, a cardinal in the Catholic Church, is in charge of organizing the election in a process known as the conclave, which was recently dramatized in the award-winning 2024 film Conclave.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
According to tradition, the camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, is the official responsible for certifying the pope's death and initiating the formal protocols.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
The papal apartments are locked The camerlengo locks and seals the pope's apartment.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
During a papal interregnum, all leaders of the Vatican offices cease to carry out their work aside from the camerlengo and two others.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Camerlengo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camerlengo. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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