TheRing of the Fisherman (Latin:Anulus piscatoris;Italian:Anello Piscatorio), also known as thePiscatory Ring, is an official part of theregalia worn by thepope, who according to Catholic theology is the head of theCatholic Church andsuccessor ofSaint Peter, who was afisherman by trade. It used to feature abas-relief of Peter fishing from a boat, a symbolism derived from the tradition that the apostles were "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). The Fisherman's Ring is asignet used until 1842 to seal official documents signed by the pope.[1] Since at least the Middle Ages it has been a tradition for Catholics meeting the pope to show their devotion bykissing the ring.[2]
A letter written byPope Clement IV to his nephew Pietro Grossi in 1265 includes the earliest known mention of the Ring of the Fisherman, which was used for sealing all the pope's private correspondence. Public documents, by contrast, were sealed by stamping a different papal seal ontolead which was attached to the document. Such documents were historically calledpapal bulls, named after the stampedbulla (seal) of lead.[3]
Use of the Fisherman's Ring changed during the 15th century when it was used to seal official documents calledpapal briefs. That practice ended in 1842, when the sealing wax was replaced by a stamp which affixed the same device in red ink.[4]
A new ring is cast for each pope as a general practice in tradition. Around the relief image is the reigning pope's Latin name. During the ceremony of apapal coronation orpapal inauguration, theCamerlengo traditionally slips the ring on the ring finger of the new pope's right hand.[5]Benedict XVI had thedean of the College of Cardinals give him the ring, which he then placed upon himself.[6]Pope Francis was bestowed his ring by Cardinal Sodano at his installation.[7]
Upon apapal death, the ring used to be ceremonially destroyed using a hammer in the presence of othercardinals by the Camerlengo.[citation needed] This was done to prevent issuance of forged documents during thesede vacante.[8] Today, the destruction of the ring's device with deep scratches is a symbol of the end of rule of the pope who used to wear that ring.[citation needed] This custom was followed after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI by applying two deep cuts, in the shape of a cross, on the signet with a chisel.[9]
AlthoughPope Benedict XVI wore his Fisherman's Ring daily, it is no longer the custom for popes to wear it at all. Generally, a new pope will either inherit the daily-wear ring of his predecessor, keep an old ring of his own preference, or will choose a new daily-wear style.Pope John Paul I usually wore a wide gold band similar in design to the mitre-shapedSecond Vatican Council ring; in imitation of this,Pope John Paul II wore a wide gold crucifix shaped into a ring that had belonged to Pope Paul VI.[citation needed]
In former times, a special coronation ring was placed on the pope's finger, designed very large since it was worn over thepope's glove. That custom and the use of a coronation ring ended withPope Paul VI.[citation needed]
Generally, popes of the past wore episcopal rings in keeping with the fashions of the time.Pope Pius XII, for example, often wore a heavily ornate ring set with a stone.Pope Pius IX most often wore acameo of himself, made entirely of tiny diamonds, whilstPope Pius X wore a simple, smaller stone-set ring. In keeping with the modern spirit suggested byPope John XXIII and actually practiced in his later years byPope Paul VI,Pope Francis only wears a simple gold-plated silver ring for papal ceremonies, preferring to wear a small silver ring from his days as a cardinal.[10]
[The ring] was passed to Pope Benedict XVI by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Cardinal Sodano. Mr Franchi, too, was present at the introduction. Watching the Pope stick the ring on his finger was a memorable experience to him.
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