New Camerlengo

At 9:30am today, in the Chapel of Urban VIII, in the presence of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the ceremony of swearing in of the new Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, His Eminence, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue was held.

The Camerlengo is the administrator of property and revenues of the Holy See.  Formerly, his responsibilities also included the fiscal administration of the Patrimony of Saint Peter.  According to the regulations outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, the Camerlengo is always a Cardinal, though this practice has only been in effect since the 15th century.  The Camerlengo's Coat of Arms is ornamented with two keys - one gold and one silver - surmounted by an ombrellino, a canopy or umbrella alternating in red and yellow stripes.  This is also the traditional arms of the Holy See during a period of Sede Vacante (when the See of Rome is vacant).

The Camerlengo is responsible for the formal determination of the death of the reigning Pope.  The traditional procedure includes the calling of the baptismal name of the Pope aloud, and asking: Are you sleeping? If there is no response, a mirror is placed beneath the Pope's nose to determine whether he is still breathing.  After the Pope is declared dead, the Camerlengo takes possession of the Fisherman's Ring and cuts it with shears in the presence of the Cardinals.  This act symbolizes the end of the late Pope's reign and prevents its use in forging documents.  The Camerlengo then notifies the appropriate officers of the Roman Curia and the Dean of the College of Cardinals.  He also participates in the preparations for the Pope's funeral and the conclave to elect his successor.

During the period of Sede Vacante, until the election of the Pope's successor, the Camerlengo serves as the Vatican's acting Head of State. Prior to 1996, the Camerlengo was effectively responsible for the government of the Church during the Sede Vacante; however according to the dictates outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, the government of the Catholic Church during the Sede Vacante is placed in the hands of the College of Cardinals.

While the other members of the Roman Curia lose their offices during the period of Sede Vacante, the Camerlengo retains his office and functions as the executive director of the Vatican's operations, answerable to the College of Cardinals.  His responsibilities are primarily to carry out the decisions of the College of Cardinals regarding the funeral of the late Pope and the events leading up to the ensuing Conclave for the election of the new Pope.

The only other Cardinal who retains his position during the period of Sede Vacante is the Major Penitentiary.