Spanish
Vatican City.- The Fisherman's Ring and the seals of Pope Francis, a symbol of papal power, have been annulled this Tuesday, sixteen days after his death, has confirmed the spokesperson of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni, one day before the conclave to elect a new pontiff.
The very cardinals participating these days in the congregations prior to the conclave have been the ones who have decided the deadlines for the destruction of the Fisherman's Ring and the official seals with which Francis marked his letters and documents.
The ring has been annulled by incising a cross on its surface.
For the period of 'sede vacante', the apostolic constitution 'Universi Dominici Gregis' assigns to the cardinal congregation the duty of "ensuring that the Fisherman's Ring and the lead seal, with which Apostolic Letters are sent, are annulled".
The ring must be removed from the pontiff's finger after confirming his death by the camerlengo, in this case the American Joseph Kevin Farrell, which marks the end of his 'reign'.
The annulment of the ring and seal is carried out to prevent any falsification or manipulation of papal documents.
With the same objective, after the death of the Argentine pope, on April 21 at the age of 88, the camerlengo and other Vatican authorities closed his apartment in the Casa Santa Marta, where he resided during his pontificate, and also that of the Apostolic Palace.
The apartments will be reopened by his successor, who must be elected starting tomorrow in the conclave by the cardinals, locked in the Sistine Chapel.
This ring, along with the pallium, both symbols of papal power, will be given to the new pope after his election, at the Mass of the beginning of the pontificate.
