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 – 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
Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, who worked to instill progressive influences on the global church while maintaining unity with conservatives amid years of turmoil, died Monday morning, Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
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
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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
Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, who worked to instill progressive influences on the global church while maintaining unity with conservatives amid years of turmoil, died Monday morning, Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Camerlengo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camerlengo. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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