March 19, 2013
Pope Francis, upon entering the Basilica, was accompanied by the Eastern Catholic patriarchs from the sacristy to the tomb of Peter, in the Vatican Grottos. Here he received the fisherman's ring and the pallium, the two symbols of the Petrine ministry. The fisherman's ring, presented by the dean, the first among the bishops, Angelo Sodano, bears the image of St. Peter with the keys. Made of gilt silver, the original design of the ring was created by the artist Manfrini during the pontificate of Paul VI.