Pope's Bling Boutta Get Smashed 🔨💍 No Cap!

The Tea

Alright, listen up, besties! So, apparently, when a Pope, like, kicks the bucket, there's this whole ceremony that goes down with his ring. We're talking about the Ring of the Fisherman, which is basically the ultimate symbol of Pope power, you feel?

This ring ain't just for show, tho. Back in the day, it was used to seal all the Pope's private DMs... I mean, correspondence. And get this—people used to kiss it as a sign of respect. But Pope Francis was kinda sus about the whole kissing thing, probably 'cause germs are a thing. Can't blame him, tbh.

But here's where it gets wild. When the Pope is no more, the "camerlengo" (basically, the head honcho in charge during the "interregnum," which is like, the in-between-Popes period) grabs a silver hammer and *smashes* that ring. Why? To stop anyone from faking letters and causing drama. It's like digital security but, like, medieval style.

And get this: Pope Francis' ring wasn't even a new flex. It was a repurposed gold-plated silver ring from the Vatican's stash. Most rings have Saint Peter on them, repping his fisherman vibes (hence the name). Pope Benedict's ring was straight up carved deep, but Francis’ ring was pre-loved!

So yeah, next time you see a pic of a Pope's ring, remember it's not just bling. It's a whole tradition, a symbol of power, and, eventually, a target for a silver hammer. Bet.