Pope Francis Wears the Fisherman's Ring at the Opening of the Holy Year

Pope Francis on December 8th 2015 With the Fisherman's
Ring. Generally He Wears a Silver Bishop's Ring from the
Time Before His Election as Pope 

(Rome) Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass  yesterday for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. At the same time the opening of the Holy Year of Mercy took place with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Benedict XVI took part at his request.. During the celebrations Pope Francis  exceptionally contributed the Fisherman's ring, as can be seen in the pictures.

The annulus piscatoris is the official ring, an insignia of the Pope and one of the pontifical regalia. The gold ring on the ring plate shows the name of the reigning pope and a representation of the apostle Peter, as the boat casts a fishing net on the sea. It refers to the passage of the "Fishers of men," in the Gospel of Mark. Then Jesus says to Peter and his brother Andrew, "Come, follow me! I will make you fishers of men." (Mk 1:17).

Until 1843 the Fisherman's Ring was used as a signet ring to seal papal documents of lesser importance sub anulo piscatoris. Today, a lead seal has taken over this function.

Upon the Death of a Pope of the Fisherman's Ring is Broken

Pope Francis with Benedict XVI. before opening of the Holy Door

The ring is since John Paul II. Presented at the enthronement of the new Pope with the pallium and  is placed by the Cardinal Dean on the ring finger of the right hand. Thus  the wordly authority originally witnessed in the ring receives a new symbolic meaning as the insignia of the spiritual authority of the pope.

Upon the death of a head of the Catholic Church the ring is broken, because the authority of the Successor of Peter is over and so in time the see is vacant,and no one pretends to reach for the papal authority. This should also prevent the abuse of backdating documents.

The Cardinal Chamberlain leads the breaking of the ring in the presence of other Cardinals. Using a scalpel, a cross is carved into the ring and this then is smashed with a silver hammer. The relics are kept in the Vatican, shown partly in the Vatican Museums.

The Ring of Benedict XVI. Was Only Made Useless - Francis Rejected a Golden Fisherman's 

The Fisherman's ring on the hand of Pope Francis

The unexpected resignation of Benedict XVI. and the election of Pope Francis brought some changes. The Official Ring of Benedict XVI. was not broken. The ring plate was only cut and thus rendered unusable. On a smashing, so an interpretation has been omitted because the pope had indeed waived his office, but is still alive.

Pope John Paul II had established in the context of other changes that the Fisherman's Ring and the lead seal were  "annullare." But it was not clear in  what this "nullification", and "elimination" would consist.

Pope Francis wanted no precious insignia. After some back and forth, he agreed, instead of a golden fisherman's ring to obtain a gold gilted silver ring. A compromise, which emphasizes the continuity externally, but internally  comes to meet the wishes of the reigning Pope.

However, the Fisherman's Ring of Pope Francis is hardly worn. In general, the Argentine Pope wears his silver bishop's ring from the period before his election.

The kiss of the fisherman's ring by ministers and the faithful of the Church is a homage to the Successor of Peter.  As a rule it is done kneeling. .

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Vatican.va (screenshots)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG