LOOK: Cardinal Tagle places symbolic Fisherman’s Ring on finger of Pope Leo XIV

Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle puts the Fisherman’s Ring on a finger of Pope Leo XIV during a mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in St Peter’s square in The Vatican on May 18, 2025. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle placed the symbolic Fisherman’s Ring on Pope Leo XIV’s finger during the Mass of Inauguration at the Vatican on Sunday.

The ring shows an image of St. Peter and has meaning from the New Testament.

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gives Peter the keys to Heaven, and in Luke 22:32, He tells Peter to strengthen his fellow believers.

(AP photo)

Since Peter is known as the fisherman apostle, the ring is referred to as the Ring of the Fisherman, or the Piscatory Ring, symbolizing the continuous lineage from the first pope.

Pope Leo XIV, or Robert Francis Prevost, is the first pope from the United States of America. 

Cardinal Tagle was one of three Filipinos who joined the conclave to elect the new pope.

(AP photo)

(AP photo)