With the death of Pope Francis begins a long process until the election of a new Vatican head of state, which includes the destruction of the fisherman’s ring, the closure of the papal residence and, finally, the conclave.
The ring is broken on Monday (21) in a private ceremony.
The relic is named after disciple Peter, who was a fisherman and is also considered the first Pope in history and one of the founders of the Church of Rome. Even the Catholic Church considers that the chosen pontiffs are all successors of Peter.
Usually used on the right -hand ring finger, the ring has a St. Peter’s drawing and bears the Latin name chosen for the new Vatican chief. In this case, Franciscus.
Traditionally, the ring is made of gold, but Pope Francis chose to use silver, but without St. Peter’s design. Only a cross is portrayed.
In the mid -twelfth century, the ring was used to seal and stamp Vatican documents or letters. It was common for the red wax to be placed still hot on the papers and the pontiff squeezed the ring over it so that the drawing was marked in the document.
It was a way to legitimize church letters and avoid counterfeiting. In the nineteenth century, this function of the ring was discontinued and since then a stamp is used.
Moreover, in the Middle Ages, it was common for many faithful to kiss the ring as a symbol of respect for apostolic authority, but this has been lost over the centuries and today is not usually encouraged by the Vatican.
Occurred in front of the Cardinian College, the destruction of the fisherman’s ring happens shortly after death, is made by the Camerlengo to symbolize the end of the papacy.
But there is another meaning behind it: Breaking the relic in half is a way of preventing improperly used, for example, to forge documents during the time when the ring was used as a stamp.
The custom was changed in 2013, when Benedict XVI resigned. In this case, his ring was not destroyed because he was still alive. Instead, the Camerlengo marked a cross on the top using a buttonhole, a practice known as rigature.
Death of Francisco
First Latin American and Jesuit to take over the Holy See, Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning at 7:35 am, due to irreversible heart stroke and heart failure.
The Pope’s body will be placed in a coffin later this Monday. On the morning of Wednesday (23), will begin the Holy Father’s wake, open to the faithful.
The date of the funeral, a ceremony that will precede the burial of Francis, has not yet been released.
This content was originally published in Pope Francis’ ring is broken this Monday (21); Understand on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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