Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, then presented him with the symbol of his authority the Ring of the Fisherman.

WSJ: Pope Celebrates Inaugural Mass

He will be given a lamb's wool shawl, known as the pallium, to represent his role as "the good shepherd, " who tends responsibly to his flock, and receive the symbolic papal ring, the Fisherman's Ring, to represent his role of spreading the gospel.

CNN: March 19, 2013 -- Updated 0829 GMT (1629 HKT)

He will surrender his gold ring of office, known as the fisherman's ring, and his personal seal will be destroyed in the same way as when a pope dies.

BBC: Benedict XVI to be known as 'pope emeritus'

The Fisherman's Ring bestowed upon him as an emblem of his authority was gold-plated silver, rather than the traditional solid gold.

WSJ: Pope Celebrates Inaugural Mass