Cardinal Camerlengo - Certifying a Papal Death

In this illustration, a Cardinal Camerlengo (such as Patrick McKenna in Angels & Demons) certifies that the current pope has died.  Note the veil which is being placed over the pontiff's face. 

Credits

Illustration from How the Pope is Elected, by W. J. Wintle, published in the London Magazine (June, 1903).  Image online, courtesy Hidden Knowledge.