Vocabulary List
to be updated in the
coming days
- la biretta — a cap worn by Roman Catholic
clergy
- il carmerlengo — chamberlain; cardinal who
manages the pope's secular affairs
- i papabili — those seen as contenders to
become pope
- la Curia Romana — the papal court,
comprising judicial and administrative bodies
- la Santa Sede — the Holy See
- sede vacante — empty Holy See seat
- sfumata — thick smoke; black smoke
indicating no successful election
- i vaticanisti — Vatican specialists
- lo zucchetto — papal skullcap
- conclave - the secret meeting of all
cardinals in which a new pope is elected