The Camerlengo to God’s Rottweiler: The 2nd Most Powerful Man in the Vatican

By N Mark Castro

At least 1.2 Billion people on earth are receiving news of the shocking global announcement made by Pope Benedict XVI regarding his resignation. Whether a conclave is called upon immediately to elect a new pope, this man will remain to be the overseer of the entire property and assets of the Vatican, including all the daily activities that may be so required of him.

Tarcisio Bertone

Though the position has been made widely controversial by the book Angels & Demons, the Camerlengo wields power as much as the pope allows him to be. Since the pope isn’t dead but has merely resigned from Vatican-related activities, there has been no clear information provided by the Vatican on the next steps. Do they call for a Conclave?

And during the ‘Sede Vacante,’ which is the transition period between the death of a Pope and the election of his successor, the Camerlengo — Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone – will remain to dispense the Vatican’s political and diplomatic affairs, continuing his grip on his powerful office as the 2nd Most Powerful Man in the Vatican.

God Help Us All …