It is a reserved and meticulously documented procedure that is part of the vacancy protocol.
With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic church It begins a transition stage marked by rituals that have a strong symbolic load. One of the most significant is the cancellation of Fisherman’s ringa reserved and meticulously documented procedure that is part of the vacant headquarters protocol.
This ring, known in Latin as ANULUS PISCATORIShas represented for centuries the authority of Dad as successor of San Pedro. The piece shows Pedro fishing from a boat, in reference to the biblical passage where Jesus He promises to make him “men’s fisherman.” Each pontiff receives this ring when assuming the position, as part of the signs that identify it as a bishop of Romenext to the Episcopal Palio.
From the 13th centurythe ring has also been used to seal official documents. In 2013, the Cardinal Angelo Sodano delivered the ring to Jorge Mario Bergogliowho chose a golden silver version instead of a solid gold, according to his simple lifestyle.
What does the Pope’s fisherman’s ring represent and why he must be annulled after his death
The current regulations, established in the Universi Dominici Gregis Apostolic Constitution, indicates that the Camarlengo You must withdraw the ring of the deceased pontiff and supervise its uselessness in the presence of the cardinals. The objective of this action is to avoid its improper use or falsifications during the period without Pope.
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The traditional method is to hit the ring with a silver hammer or mark it with a cross, which symbolizes that it is no longer valid. This was done, for example, after the death of John Paul II. In the case of Benedict XVI, which resigned in 2013, the ring was not completely destroyed, but an “X” was recorded, leaving it out of use.
According to him Vatican“Objects closely linked to the exercise of the Petrino ministry must be annulled.” This same rule applies to the lead seal used to authenticate certain papal documents.
The destruction of the ring not only marks the end of a papacy, but acts as a guarantee that a new chapter for the Church begins, under the guidance of a next successor.
Source: Ambito
