The Italian goldsmith, Claudio Franchi, who created Pope Benedict XVI's Fisherman's Ring, is hoping the Vatican will dispense with tradition & not destroy the 1.23oz gold Ring. It is usually taken from the hand of the dead Pope by the 'Cardinal Camerlengo' the Prelate, who takes over the church before the new Pope is elected. It is then smashed with a hammer to ensure that no fake documents can be created in the dead Popes name. But this time the Pope will not be dead.

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