Who runs the Catholic Church between popes?
The short answer
During an interregnum, the day-to-day business of the Church is handled by the cardinal camerlengo (chamberlain). He makes only decisions of immediate necessity; anything not urgent waits for the new pope.
The camerlengo
Between popes — the interregnum, Latin for "between reigns" — the cardinal camerlengo administers the Church's daily affairs. In 2005, between John Paul II and Benedict XVI, this was Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo.
Limited authority
The camerlengo makes no decisions except those immediately necessary for running the Church. Anything that is not urgent is postponed until a new pope is elected.
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