If anyone is the focus of attention during the Sede Vacante, it is the figure of the camerlengo. Personally appointed by the pope, his task is essential: to administer the Holy See until a new pontiff has been elected.
Since 2019, the position has been in the hands of U.S. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who from now on has to cope with the interim governance of the Church.
He succeeded Jean-Louis Tauran, who died in 2018 after battling Parkinson's. Many will remember him for being the cardinal protodeacon in 2013, that is, the one who announced Pope Francis' Habemus Papam.
But would it be possible for the camerlengo to become pope? In fact, it has happened on as many as three occasions.
The first time was in 1404, when Cardinal Migliorati, who was at the helm of the Church under the name of Innocent VII, was elected.
More recently, the first pope of the 20th century, Leo XIII, went through this rare transition. It was in 1878 when he succeeded Pio “nonno” after the period of Sede Vacante, a term that last until his death in 1903.
The most recent case was at the gates of the Second World War. In 1939, the cardinals elected Cardinal Pacelli, who became Pope Pius XII.
JH
