This Sunday, May 18, the Pope Leo XIV He formal his pontificate with a mass in the San Pedro Squarein the Vatican. During the ceremony, the imposition rite of the Pallium and the delivery of Fisherman’s ringtwo of the most important badges that symbolize the beginning of the Petrino Ministry.
He Palliumit is a narrow white wool band that is placed on the shoulders, above the chasulla. This represents the figure of the Bishop as a good shepherd And, at the same time, to Lamb of Godcrucified by the salvation of humanity.
This liturgical ornament is decorated with Six black crosses silk – four in the ring that surrounds the shoulders and two at the ends that fall through the chest and back – and also carries Three pins (acicle) that evoke the nails of the cross of Christ.
Both elements, the fisherman and the pallium ring, reaffirm the Apostolic continuity and the pastoral responsibility of the Pope as a spiritual guide of the Universal Church.
The fisherman’s ring: history and symbolism
He Fisherman’s ringalso known as ANULUS PISCATORISis one of the oldest and most representative emblems of the papacy. Its use dates from the thirteenth century, with records of 1265, when the Pope Clemente IV He mentioned in a letter to his nephew that Vatican’s official documents were sealed with a ring carried by the image of San Pedro fishing.
The ring, which is traditionally given to the Pope at the beginning of his mandate, symbolizes the role of the Pontiff as the successor of Peter, the fisherman apostle called by Jesus to be “fisherman of men.” In the case of Leo XIV, the interior of the ring is recorded its name, while the exterior represents San Pedro with the keys of the kingdom and a network.
In addition to its symbolic load, the ring has a functional value: historically it was used as Official seal of papal documents. For that reason, and to avoid its falsification, tradition indicates that the ring must be destroyed after the death of the Pope.
When the Supreme Pontiff dies, the ring is removed by the Camarlengo —Cargo that the cardinal currently occupies Kevin Farrell– And beaten with a hammer until they deform it. In many cases, their remains merge and used to make the next Pope’s ring. However, there were exceptions. After the resignation of Benedict XVI, for example, the ring was simply marked with a cross to disable it, without being completely destroyed.
Francisco’s turn: silver gold instead of gold
The Pope Francisco introduced a significant modification to this tradition: he chose to carry the fisherman’s ring made in silver goldinstead of the traditional gold. The choice sought to reflect Austerity and humilityin line with the sober style of his pontificate. Despite the change of material, the historical design of the jewel was maintained.
Source: Ambito
