BERTONE

The current Vatican Secretary of State and Camerlengo is Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. He is one of the highest ranking officials of the Roman Catholic Church. The 74 year-old Italian would be a likely candidate for Pope should Benedict XVI die suddenly.

As the Secretary of State, he is in charge of the political and diplomatic activities of the Church. These duties are equivalent of that of a prime minister. Bertone has held this position since September 2006.

As the Camerlengo, he is in charge of the properties and finances of the Vatican. The Camerlengo is charged with determining if the Pope is dead. He then takes the Ring of the Fisherman from the deceased Pope's finger and cuts it with a shears. He also destroys the Pope's seal and makes the official announcement of his death. Until a new pope is elected, the Camerlengo is the acting Head of State of the Vatican. Bertone has held this position since April 2007.
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