Cardinals Destroy John Paul II's Ring

VATICAN CITY -- Cardinals destroyed Pope John Paul II's ring and lead seal Saturday to formally end his reign, while the Vatican expressed confidence that jamming devices and other unprecedented precautions would keep the name of the new pope secret until it is announced to the world from a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.

The official nine-day mourning period for John Paul, which began with a funeral attended by world leaders and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, ended with a Mass celebrated Saturday afternoon in St. Peter's Basilica.

The destruction of John Paul's Fisherman's Ring and the seal marked a symbolic end of the pope's 26-year reign and came during the cardinals' last meeting before they sequester themselves in the Sistine Chapel beginning Monday to choose a successor.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said "specialized technicians" of the Vatican Gendarmeria had made sure no communications could emerge from the chapel and he said he was confident that no leaks would emerge from the conclave.

A handful of cardinals witness this, as well as Papal Household officials and the commandant of the Swiss Guard. The ring is inspected by the cardianls to verify that it is the fisherman's ring. Then the Camelengo scratches the ring with a silver knife to deface it, destroying the symbolic power of the ring. The cardinals inspect it again. Then the ring is placed on a lead block, which stands before the Camerlengo on a marble table. With a silver mallet the Camerlengo administers a blow to the ring to crack it or split it. Once destroyed the pieces are put into a velvet sack which are then taken by the Camerlengo to be placed in the second casket( the lead one ) with other papal documents.

I like the fact that these little ceremonies are conducted without the scrutiny of a public audience and without cameras. Maybe because this one might seem farcical. I can picture the Camerlengo, an elderly little man catching the side of the ring and having it shoot across the room, or having to try again and again, maybe an impatient witness offering to give it a try. But, of course, that's just my imagination. Judging by all the other ceremonies of the past two weeks, this one is probably carried out with the perfect dignity and perfection of detail as everything else.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.