In 2016, Pope Francis recited a gospel while the Fisherman’s Ring was prominently displayed (Vatican Pool/Getty Images).
The estimated cost of the signet ring is around $520,000, but its intrinsic value will be far greater than its material worth because it is an emblem of Catholicism. Smashing such jewelry seems like a sin in and of itself.
The Fisherman’s Ring, which is given to the pope upon election and removed upon his passing, is a prominent element in images of Pope Francis lying in a wake that the Vatican has made public.
According to Roman Catholic custom, the camerlengo cardinal—in this case, Kevin Farrell—will smash the ring and bulla with a special hammer.
The ring was originally fashioned to serve as a seal for the pope’s private correspondence, but thanks to modern advancements, its only true function is ceremonial.
