Pope Leo XIV wearing the fisherman’s ring (L) and details of the ring (R)
The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, who was elected by the cardinals on May 9, 2025, was officially inaugurated on Sunday, May 18, 2025, nine days after his election.
At the inauguration, Pope Leo XIV was formally bestowed with several sacred symbols of his office, including the pallium and the fisherman’s ring.
The pallium, according to an article published by CNN, is a “lamb’s wool vestment symbolising his pastoral care for the Church,” while the fisherman’s ring “symbolises the Pope’s authority as the successor of St. Peter, a fisherman by trade and whom Catholics regard as the first pope.”
The ring, presented to Pope Leo XIV by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, is made of gold and bears an image of St. Peter fishing.
Traditionally, the ring of a deceased pope is taken to the College of Cardinals, where it is scratched or broken to ensure it can never be used again. This act symbolises the end of the pope’s papacy.
In the past, the ring served as the official seal for papal documents, and its destruction prevented forgery.
Details of Pope Leo XIV’s fisherman’s ring, as shared by the Vatican, reveal an image of St. Peter engraved on the outer band, with “Leo XIV” and the Pope’s coat of arms engraved on the inner side.
Visuals from St. Peter’s Square, where the inaugural Mass was held, captured the moment Cardinal Tagle, a close friend of the Pope, presented him with the fisherman’s ring.
After receiving it, Pope Leo XIV was seen gazing at the ring in a moment of solemn reflection.
See pictures of the ring plus visuals from the inauguration below (Vatican News):
Highlights of Pope Leo XIV’s Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate, which he celebrated on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.
Read more: https://t.co/T0H2oY06Zh pic.twitter.com/cusA4yPxjz
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV receives the Ring of the Fisherman, or Piscatory Ring, from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, during the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18.https://t.co/xecWpE8NXj pic.twitter.com/ri1bx1dErE
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV tells the world that “This is the time for love!” as he celebrates the Inauguration Mass of his pontificate on Sunday.https://t.co/614WNbAd1T pic.twitter.com/cWXN5TXI4x
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV receives the Ring of the Fisherman, or Piscatory Ring, from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, during the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18.https://t.co/xecWpE8NXj pic.twitter.com/ri1bx1dErE
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 18, 2025
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