camerlengo

American

[kam-er-leng-goh] / ˌkæm ərˈlɛŋ goʊ /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

plural

camerlengos

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 British

/ ˌkæməˈlɛŋɡəʊ, ˌkæməˈlɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of camerlengo

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During this time, Cardinal Kevin Farrell is acting as the cardinal camerlengo, a person appointed by the pope and tasked with certain duties during the transition to a successor, NPR reported.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

A little over two hours later, the cardinal chamberlain, or camerlengo, stood in the Casa Santa Marta and made the news public.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

The camerlengo has no role or duties if the pope is merely sick or otherwise incapacitated.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2021

The camerlengo ostensibly intends to save the Vatican from an antimatter attack plotted by various church conspirators.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2020

After all, Ugolini was cardinal camerlengo under Urban.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023