New rings for the Princes of the Church

I know you think that the picture is totally unrelated, but they're Cardinals, and those Cardinals had rings. Therefore, it is relevant.

In February - in all likelihood the 18th and 19th of February - the fourth consistory for the creation of new cardinals in Benedict XVI's pontificate will take place. Vatican Insider has written many times of the lists of possible new cardinals: the now-imminent decision is confirmed by the purchasing of the new cardinal's rings. It is tradition, in fact, for the reigning Pontiff to give a ring to the new “senators of the Church”. Up until now, Pope Ratzinger has given newly-created cardinals rings forged on the model used during John Paul II's pontificate (a rectangle of worked gold, upon which stands a cross). But now a design has been approved for a new cardinal's ring, made in the form of a cross, which will be used for the first time next February. It was created by ecclesiastical goldsmiths the Savi Brothers, who work in Borgo Pio, at a cost of around €1,500. The Savis have already worked for some time with the Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations: they are the ones who created the papal “ferula,” the cross the Pope uses as a pastoral staff during Mass.

 
With the new consistory, says Sandro Magister on his website, the cardinals created by Ratzinger (who have the right to vote in the conclave) surpass, for the first time, the number of those appointed by Wojtyla. Benedict XVI does not want to exceed the limit of 120 voting cardinals, established by Paul VI. In February, the available posts will be 13, and could become 15, counting the other two cardinals who will reach the age of eighty in the following months.

You can read the rest of the short article at the Vatican Insider on, La Stampa

Let's say that again for fun: La Stampa, it's so rythmical!