VATICAN- In the rich tapestry of Vatican traditions, few objects carry as much symbolic weight as the Fisherman’s Ring.
This ancient symbol of papal authority, which traces its origins to at least the 13th century, recently returned to public attention following Pope Francis’s death at 88 on Easter Monday.
The Fisherman’s Ring derives its name from St. Peter—a fisherman by trade before becoming, according to Catholic tradition, the first pope.
Throughout Pope Francis’s 12-year papacy, this distinctive ring featured prominently during ceremonial occasions, with many faithful followers participating in the traditional gesture of kissing it.
Following papal deaths, tradition mandates a specific ritual for the ring. Historically, from 1521 to 2013, the ring would be completely destroyed by hammer—a practice with practical origins.
Vatican historian Christopher Lamb explains: “The ring served as an official seal for papal documents.
Destroying it prevented anyone from forging documents after a pope’s death—essentially the medieval equivalent of disabling someone’s password after they leave an organization.”
Evolution of Tradition
The Camerlengo—a cardinal appointed to manage affairs during papal transitions—traditionally performed this ritual before the College of Cardinals.
Although the ring ceased functioning as an official seal in the mid-19th century (replaced by stamps), the destruction ceremony continued for centuries.
A significant shift occurred when Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013—the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years.
Rather than destroying the ring completely, a new practice emerged: carving a deep cross into the ring’s surface with a chisel. This modified approach preserves the historical artifact while symbolically ending its authority.
Current Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, appointed by Francis in 2023, is expected to follow this newer tradition before the papal conclave convenes to select the next pope.
Personal Styles and Preferences
Papal approaches to wearing the ring have varied considerably. While Pope Benedict XVI wore his daily, Pope John Paul II often substituted it with alternative rings or a ring-shaped crucifix.
Pope Francis took a middle path, reserving the official Fisherman’s Ring for ceremonial functions while wearing a simple silver ring from his cardinal days for everyday use.
In 2019, Francis made headlines when footage showed him withdrawing his hand as visitors attempted to kiss his ring.
While this sparked debate, Vatican officials later clarified this was primarily a hygiene measure. Those who knew Francis noted his preference for more personal interactions—embracing the distressed or shaking hands—over formal gestures of ring-kissing.
Francis’s Humble Choice
The design of Fisherman’s Rings has evolved over centuries. While traditionally featuring an image of Saint Peter with the keys to heaven, each pope’s ring reflects the aesthetics and values of their papacy.
In keeping with his well-known humility, Pope Francis chose not to commission a new gold ring.
Instead, he opted for what Vatican insiders call a “recycled” ring—a gold-plated silver piece previously owned by Archbishop Pasquale Macchi, who served as secretary to Pope Paul VI and passed away in 2006.
As the Vatican prepares for the conclave to select Francis’s successor, the fate of this unique papal artifact remains one of many questions awaiting resolution in the coming weeks.
