The Pope’s Ring: What it symbolises and why it’s destroyed after his death

The passing of a pope draws global attention not only because of the significance of his leadership but also due to the sacred and symbolic rites that follow.

As the world reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis , who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, the Vatican is preparing to carry out a tradition that stretches back centuries — the annulment of the pontiff’s ring.

This time-honoured custom, shrouded in centuries of history and religious meaning, marks the end of a papal reign.

Among the many steps involved in this process is the ceremonial destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring, a powerful emblem of papal authority.

But why does this ring hold such importance, and what does its destruction mean for the Church?

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The Fisherman’s Ring: A timeless papal emblem

The Fisherman’s Ring has long stood as a hallmark of papal identity.

Presented to the pope during his official inauguration, this distinctive item is more than mere jewellery — it symbolises his spiritual office and his connection to the Apostle Peter, whom Christians believe to be the first Bishop of Rome.

The ring gets its name from Saint Peter, who was a fisherman by trade before becoming one of Jesus Christ’s closest disciples.

Traditionally, the ring bears a depiction of Peter fishing from a boat or holding the keys to heaven — icons that symbolise the authority given to him by Christ. Above this image, the reigning pope’s name is inscribed.

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Historically, the ring was not just symbolic. For centuries, it served a functional role as a signet seal. When pressed into wax, it authenticated private papal letters and formal documents known as papal briefs.

It was one of two major seals used by the pope — the other being the bulla, a round lead seal used for official papal bulls.

The Fisherman’s Ring began its role as a document seal by at least the mid-13th century, as noted in a letter from Pope Clement IV to his nephew. Over time, this usage expanded, and by the 15th century, it had become the standard seal for papal briefs.

This function continued until 1842, when the use of the ring as a seal was phased out in favour of stamps. Still, the tradition of bestowing a unique ring upon each new pope continued, preserving the deep religious and ceremonial value attached to the piece.

The destruction of the Ring

After the death of a pope, the Catholic Church follows an ancient ritual meant to symbolise the conclusion of his authority and prevent any misuse of his papal seal. This is achieved through the destruction — or defacement — of the Fisherman’s Ring.

The responsibility for this solemn task lies with the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, a senior cardinal appointed by the deceased pope to manage Church affairs between pontificates.

Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, an Irish-born prelate who rose from humble beginnings to one of the Vatican’s most influential posts, was named Camerlengo by Pope Francis in 2023.

Now, with the pope’s death, Cardinal Farrell is expected to oversee the procedure of defacing the papal insignia.

The act takes place within the Vatican walls, typically in the presence of the College of Cardinals. Traditionally, a ceremonial hammer is used to physically destroy the ring and the bulla. This practice has been consistently observed since 1521 — except in extraordinary circumstances.

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In 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign , the custom was modified.

Rather than destroying the ring entirely, Church officials opted to carve a deep cross into its surface with a chisel, permanently invalidating it without obliterating the item itself. This modern adaptation is expected to be followed in Pope Francis’s case as well.

The symbolic importance of this ritual remains intact: by defacing the ring, the Church not only marks the end of the deceased pope’s authority but also ensures that his seal can never again be used to forge documents or falsely authenticate messages.

Pope Francis and his “recycled” ring

In keeping with his well-documented simplicity and modesty , Pope Francis chose not to commission a newly designed Fisherman’s Ring upon his election.

Instead, he adopted a pre-existing piece that once belonged to Archbishop Pasquale Macchi, the private secretary of Pope Paul VI. As reported by CNN’s Vatican journalist Christopher Lamb, “He used a ring from the secretary of Paul VI.”

This decision set Francis apart from many of his predecessors. While traditional Fisherman’s Rings are hand-crafted in Rome by artisans from the Roman Guild of Goldsmiths and typically made of pure gold, Francis’s ring was fashioned from gold-plated silver.

Known in Vatican circles as an “in-possession ring,” it aligned with the pope’s long-standing preference for humility over grandeur.

Francis wore the ring to formal Church events and public ceremonies, but for day-to-day activities, he opted for a simpler silver band he had worn since his days as a cardinal.

This nuanced approach reflected his broader papal style — deeply rooted in tradition, yet unafraid to simplify or adjust where appropriate .

The changing customs around ring-kissing

Among the many traditions associated with the Fisherman’s Ring is the practice of kissing it—a gesture of reverence that dates back to the Middle Ages.

In earlier centuries, the act even carried spiritual benefits. During the papacy of Pius X in the early 20th century, kissing a bishop’s or cardinal’s ring could grant the faithful an indulgence, which was believed to lessen time in purgatory.

However, the mid-20th century saw significant changes to this practice. Pope Paul VI, known for modernising many aspects of the Church, reformed the system of indulgences and phased out various ceremonial gestures seen as overly hierarchical.

This included discouraging gestures such as kissing the pope’s hand, shoulder, or feet.

Though the practice of ring-kissing was never fully abolished, its place in Church protocol diminished. Pope Francis, too, appeared to move away from the custom.

In 2019, a video circulated widely showing the pope pulling his hand away as pilgrims attempted to kiss his ring following a Mass in Loreto, Italy. The incident drew global attention and led to public discussion about whether the pope was rejecting a revered tradition.

As worshippers try to kiss his ring, Pope Francis would withdraw his hand https://t.co/pPtl18vrDG pic.twitter.com/yYfXuAKnRA

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 27, 2019

The Vatican later clarified his intentions: Francis “was simply concerned for hygienic reasons and did not want to risk spreading germs between people.”

CNN’s journalist Christopher Lamb further explained, stating that Francis always liked to meet people where they were — shaking hands or embracing those who were distressed — and was not someone who expected people to kneel and kiss his ring when meeting him.

A sealed legacy

The Fisherman’s Ring is more than a historical artifact. It is meant to encapsulate the authority, humility and identity of the pontiff it belongs to.

Its defacement marks not just the end of a papacy but the careful protection of the Church’s integrity, ensuring that no one may impersonate the Pope or use his former authority to manipulate doctrine or deceive the faithful.

Traditionally, following the pope’s death, the defaced ring is placed in the coffin along with two other traditional items: a rosary and the official death certificate.

These objects accompany the pontiff to his burial, completing a sacred and symbolic farewell.

The Catholic Church prepares for the upcoming conclave — where cardinals from around the world will gather to elect the next pope .

With inputs from agencies