When the pope dies, the papal ring is destroyed to prevent misuse and mark the end of his papal authority.
The Papal ring, often called the Fisherman’s Ring, is an important symbol in the Catholic Church.
This ring is given to the Pope during his inauguration. It features an image of Saint Peter, the first Pope, and represents the Pope’s authority.
The ring is typically worn on the right hand and is a significant part of the Pope’s role.
Fate of the papal ring when the Pope passes away
When a Pope passes away, a specific tradition is followed regarding his ring.
The ring is destroyed to mark the end of his authority. This task is performed by the cardinal camerlengo, a senior official in the Vatican.
The camerlengo is responsible for many important rituals, including sealing the papal apartments and announcing the Pope’s death.
The destruction of the ring takes place after the Pope’s death is officially confirmed.
The cardinal camerlengo announces the death to the public.
After this announcement, he takes the ring and destroys it in front of the College of Cardinals.
This ceremony is significant because it prevents the misuse of the ring.
If the ring were to remain intact, it could be used to forge documents or misrepresent the Pope’s authority.
The tradition of destroying the ring
This tradition of destroying the Papal ring has been in place for many years. It symbolizes a clear end to the previous Pope’s reign.
It also serves as a reminder that the authority of the Pope is passed down to his successor.
Each new Pope receives a new ring, which represents his own authority and responsibilities.
Interestingly, this tradition changed slightly in 2013 when Pope Benedict XVI resigned.
Instead of destroying his ring, the cardinal camerlengo made a deep cross on it using a chisel.
This marked the end of Benedict’s papacy but did not destroy the ring completely.
The design of the papal ring
The Papal ring has a distinct design. Most commonly, it shows Saint Peter, who is depicted as a fisherman.
Some rings show him casting nets from a boat, while others display him holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
This imagery reflects Peter’s important role as the first bishop of Rome.
The ring is usually made of gold, symbolizing the Pope’s high office.
However, Pope Francis received a ring made of gold-plated silver when he was elected in 2013.
The design and materials used for the ring vary, but its meaning remains the same: it represents the Pope’s leadership and connection to Saint Peter.
Kissing the Papal ring symbolizes respect for authority.
Kissing the Papal ring is an ancient practice. It is a way for people to show respect and admiration for the Pope.
The Pope is seen as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. However, this tradition has become less common in recent years.
Pope Francis has encouraged people not to kiss his ring.
He believes that this practice may not be necessary and wants to promote a different kind of interaction.
In fact, during the conclave that elected him, he tried to stop cardinals from kissing his ring as a sign of obedience.
In 2019, there was some confusion when a video showed Pope Francis pulling his hand away from pilgrims.
Many thought he was rejecting their gestures. The Vatican later clarified that he was concerned about hygiene and wanted to prevent the spread of germs.