(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130228-vatica-secretary-2p.photoblog600.jpg)Alessandro Bianchi / Reuters fileCardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the cardinal chamberlain, or camerlengo, will officially be in charge of Vatican affairs until a new pope is elected.By M. Alex Johnson, staff writer, NBC NewsWith Benedict XVI's abdication taking effect Thursday, the Roman Catholic Church has no pope until the conclave of cardinals settles on a new one. Like many other procedures of the church, the rules for running the institution during this period are ancient and little-known. Here are answers to questions you might have about exactly what happens when the papacy changes hands:
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When a monarch leaves, the period before the new king or queen takes over is called an interregnum. In the Roman Catholic Church, it's called a sede vacante (or "empty seat"). The Cardinal Chamberlain, or Camerlengo — currently Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone — is in charge of running the church, working with three cardinal assistants who are chosen at random and are replaced every three days.
Why did the pope use a helicopter?
Benedict headed off to a temporary retirement home at Castel Gandolfo, the summer papal retreat, while his permanent home on the Vatican grounds is renovated. To get there, he took a helicopter. Pope Paul VI started the tradition in 1975 purely for practical reasons (http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/27/17106028-inside-castel-gandolfo-pope-benedicts-spectacular-temporary-retirement-home?lite): The ancient Appian Way — the only way to get there by car — is narrow and a traffic nightmare.
Benedict has a pilot's license, and he's been known to fly the chopper himself on visits to Castel Gandolfo. That didn't happen this time.
Who's going with him?
Benedict's private secretary, Archbishop Georg G