'Nice little ring!' kid tells pope
CÓRDOBA, Argentina — For centuries, papal rings have dazzled the faithful, been kissed by royals, and intrigued historians.
But on Tuesday, Pope Leo's ring received perhaps the ultimate compliment: a 10-year-old boy's admiration.
The pontiff had just stepped off a plane in Argentina from Buenos Aires and was greeting well wishers on the tarmac when the youngster delivered his verdict.
"Nice little ring, eh!" the boy exclaimed after a closer look during the 71-year-old pontiff's visit to Cordoba, part of a closely watched tour of South America.
The Fisherman's Ring, long the symbol of papal authority, has accompanied popes through coronations, conclaves and even the rare resignation. Traditionally bearing an image of Saint Peter, it was once used to seal papal correspondence.
The pope, who did not visibly react to the remark, continued smiling as he greeted the children and posed for several photographs.
The young admirer may have been disappointed to learn that potential ownership is not an option. Traditionally, the ring is destroyed when each pontificate ends.
