private residence, his carriage being escorted by the Pope's particular body-guard of Swiss halberdiers, which continues in attendance on him until the election of a new Pope. Also all edicts issued during the interregnum run in his name, and the coin struck by the mint has on it the Camerlengos private arms. And here at this early stage we already meet the checking contrivances invented against the possibility of some ambitious Cardinal usurping what is due only to the Pope. As soon as the Camerlengo has reached his dwelling he sees three Cardinals arrive-the senior members of the three classes in the Sacred College, bishops, priests, and deacons-who, during the nine days that are prescribed to elapse before a Conclave can be constituted, remain associated with him in a special congregation representing the Executive of the State.[1] The prerogatives of this Board are, however, again carefully limited to carrying out the resolutions taken by the general assembly of
- ↑ From the moment Conclave is opened, and during the whole of its duration, the Executive authority is vested in the Camerlengo, assisted by three Cardinals called Capi d'Ordine, who are chosen by ballot for three days.
