One of the most symbolic acts during this time is the destruction of the papal ring, known as the Ring of the Fisherman. This ring, used to seal official documents, is ceremonially crushed to ...

Pope Francis, 88, remains in hospital battling double pneumonia, with his condition described as "critical" by the Vatican. The pontiff has received supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions ...

He also arranges for the destruction of the so-called fisherman’s ring, used by the pope to seal documents, with a ceremonial hammer, to prevent forgeries. Francis has brought an unpretentious ...

What happens to the pope's ring when he dies? When a pope dies, after the camerlengo certifies the passing, the pope's ring is removed and destroyed to mark the end of his reign. The camerlengo ...

Then the camerlengo drafts a document authenticating the pope's death, and the pontiff's private papers are gathered, his apartments sealed off and his "fisherman's ring", used to seal papal ...