symbol

by

Final version of Pope Francis’ coat of arms

Image

The draft version of Pope Francis’ coat of arms had been finalised, with minor changes that improves greatly upon the draft version. The golden star is altered from a five-pointed star into an 8-pointed star representing the Blessed Virgin Mary, and with the spikenard flower, which is used in perfumes, being the symbol of St. Joseph, more accurately drawn. Finally, the motto “Miserando atque Eligendo” is encased in a scroll.

This should be the finalised official version of Pope Francis’ coat of arms, though variations may exist in different forms.

by

Ring of the Fisherman for Pope Francis, 266th Pope, Successor of St. Peter the Apostle, leader of the Universal Church

Image

Another image from Rome Reports

6719_10151417713052928_1657486910_n

Pope Francis’ Ring of the Fisherman, which is one of the symbol of the authority as the Pope, as both a bishop (episcopal ring) and the Successor of St. Peter the Apostle, leader of the entire Universal Church. It will be given to Pope Francis at the celebration of the Papal Inauguration Mass, on the Feast of St. Joseph, Tuesday, 19 March 2013, together with another symbol, that is the pallium.

The ring’s image closely follow that of Pope Benedict XVI’s Ring of the Fisherman, with slight difference in the shape of the ring, and the ring being made of gold-plated silver instead of gold. Depicted on the ring is the image of St. Peter holding onto the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and fishing, as he was a fisherman, but called by God to be a ‘fisher of man’.

by

The Ring of the Fisherman or the Fisherman’s Ring (Pope Benedict XVI’s ring as Pope)

Image

What is the Ring of the Fisherman? or also called the Fisherman’s Ring? and why fisherman?

This is because, Peter, the leader of the Apostles, whom our Popes are successors of, including our retiring Pope Benedict XVI, was once a fisherman at Lake Galilee in Israel. Then Jesus, our Lord, came and called him and his brother Andrew, to follow Him, and then He made Peter, a fisher of man, through His Church, which He entrusted to him to lead. This is why, the picture on the Fisherman’s Ring represents Peter as fisherman as seen in the image above. Also engraved is the regnal name of the Pope, Benedictus XVI in Latin.

Image

 

This ring was used in the past to seal important Papal documents such as letters and most importantly papal bulls. The seal used was wax seal, in which hot wax was poured and the ring is pressed onto the hot wax while it is still hot, and therefore, the image engraved on the ring, will be reflected on the wax seal, signifying the legality of the documents and papal bulls published, with the authority of the Pope, as successor of St. Peter and leader of the Universal Church, one Church of Christ.

Image

This ring, which symbolises the authority of the Pope, given to him at the Installation of the Pope (Papal Installation), is destroyed upon the Pope’s death, and in Pope Benedict XVI’s case, it will be destroyed after the sede vacante starts with a silver hammer in the presence of witnesses, to prevent any misuse of the Ring during the sede vacante to validate documents not released by the Pope.