The Collaborative International Dictionary
Camerlingo \Ca`mer*lin"go\, n. [It.] The papal chamberlain; the cardinal who presides over the pope's household. He has at times possessed great power.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"papal chamberlain," from Italian camerlingo "chamberlain" (see chamberlain).
Wiktionary
n. chamberlain; the cardinal who administers the Roman Catholic Church in the interregnum between Popes
Wikipedia
Camerlengo (plural: camerlenghi, Italian for " Chamberlain") is an Italian title of medieval origin. It derives from the late Latin camarlingus, in turn coming, through the Frankish kamerling, from the Latin '' camerarius'', which meant "chamber officer" (generally meaning "treasure chamber").
Usage examples of "camerlengo".
Cardinal Camerlengo, with the object of obtaining from Heaven the speedy election of a pope: this procession, starting from the church of Ara Coeli at the Capitol, was to make stations before the principal Madannas and the most frequented churches.
In any case, if such had been the design of the Cardinal Camerlengo, he had not deceived himself, and the effect was what he desired: when the procession had gone past, the laughing and joking continued, but the cries and threats had completely ceased.
The camerlengo would confirm his death in the presence of the master of papal liturgical celebrations and a worried knot of other high-ranking Vatican officials.
The authority had then devolved in the customary way upon the Cardinal Camerlengo, who during the interregnum had sovereign powers.
Only two camerlengos in modern times had been elected pope, so the position was not a stepping-stone to the papacy.