The Fisherman’s Ring of Pope Francis

The fisherman’s ring which Pope Francis receives at his installation mass at St. Peter’s basilica Tuesday represents the Apostle Peter with the keys, symbolizing papal authority over the Universal Church. In a note, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. said the ring was designed by Enrico Manfrini for Pope Paul VI but never realized in metal; nor was it ever worn by Pope Paul VI who preferred to wear a ring celebrating the Second Vatican Council.

Manfrini had created many medals and other artistic objects for Pope Paul VI. The wax mold for Pope Francis’ ring had been preserved under the care of Paul VI’s former secretary, Msgr. Pasquale Macchi. Msgr. Macchi, who is deceased, left the mold and other objects to his long-time aid, Msgr. Ettore Malnati, explains Fr. Lombardi.

Using the wax mold, Msgr. Malnati had a ring made in gold-plated silver which the Master of Ceremonies and the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re proposed to Pope Francis along with a number of other rings. Pope Francis chose this one.

Source: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/19/pope_francis_fishermans_ring/en1-674711

"Miserando atque eligendo"

Source: http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-miserando-atque-eligendo

Pope Francis has chosen the motto "Miserando atque eligendo", meaning lowly but chosen; literally in Latin 'by having mercy, by choosing him'.

The motto is one the Pope had already chosen as Bishop. It is taken from the homilies of the Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew's Gospel relating to his vocation: "Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an Apostle saying to him: Follow me."

This homily, which focuses on divine mercy and is reproduced in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Saint Matthew, has taken on special significance in the Pope's life and spiritual journey.

In fact it was on the Feast of Saint Matthew in 1953 that a young seventeen year-old Jorge Bergoglio was touched by the mercy of God and felt the call to religious life in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

Beyond the motto, the coat of arms has a blue field and is surmounted by the mitre and the papal keys.

On the crest itself at the centre is the symbol of the Jesuits, a flaming sun with the three letters recalling the name and the salvific mission of Jesus. Underneath we have two more symbols: to the right the star representing Mary and to the left the nard flower representing Joseph.