Annulus Piscatoris

ANNULUS PISCATORIS, an´yu-lus pis-kɑ-tō´ris: The official ring worn by the popes. Every Roman Catholic bishop wears a ring, which symbolizes that he is wedded to his diocese. This custom dates from very early times, and is mentioned by Isidore of Seville, who calls the ring signum pontificalis honoris. The ring worn by a pope is engraved with a representation of St. Peter fishing—whence its special name—and with the title of the pontiff. From the fifteenth century papal briefs have been sealed with this ring, and are accordingly said to be given “under the seal of the fisherman.” At the present time, instead of this seal, an imprint of the same device in red ink is more commonly used. The ring is given to the newly elected pontiff in the conclave by the cardinal camerlingo, and is broken on the death of the pope.