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
As the camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, Farrell will effectively serve as interim pope until a new pope is picked.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 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 Oscar-winning film Conclave.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Then the camerlengo and prefect of the papal household pass the news to various officials in the Vatican, who relay it to the people of Rome and the heads of nations.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Pope Francis died Monday morning at the age of 88, according to Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo – that is, the cardinal who oversees the conclave, in this case Cardinal Kevin Ferrell – then escorts the master of ceremonies who bears the Fisherman's Ring on a velvet cushion to the new pope.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Pope Francis Burial Place Francis' reform allows for burial outside the Vatican, with the camerlengo presiding.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Before his death is announced to the world by the Vatican, the camerlengo will also inform the College of Cardinals of the pope's death.
—David Chiu, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
After certifying, the camerlengo will assist other cardinals in the preparation for the papal election, or conclave.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 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 Oscar-winning film Conclave.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Then the camerlengo and prefect of the papal household pass the news to various officials in the Vatican, who relay it to the people of Rome and the heads of nations.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Pope Francis died Monday morning at the age of 88, according to Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo – that is, the cardinal who oversees the conclave, in this case Cardinal Kevin Ferrell – then escorts the master of ceremonies who bears the Fisherman's Ring on a velvet cushion to the new pope.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Pope Francis Burial Place Francis' reform allows for burial outside the Vatican, with the camerlengo presiding.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Before his death is announced to the world by the Vatican, the camerlengo will also inform the College of Cardinals of the pope's death.
—David Chiu, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
After certifying, the camerlengo will assist other cardinals in the preparation for the papal election, or conclave.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Camerlengo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camerlengo. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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