Why do we kiss the pope's ring?

[larabella79]

I have a co-worker is very much not Catholic. In one of our talks, she was very unhappy at the thought of someone kissing the pope's ring. It was as if she thought that we placed the pope above God. I explained that wasn't true, however I did not know why we kiss the pope's ring. Any info is greatly appreciated.

[Michelle Arnold]

While it is not as common today for ordinary lay Catholics to kiss the pope's ring, the gesture is a symbol of respect for the pope's authority as the Vicar of Christ and successor of St. Peter. (The ring is a symbol of the pope's Petrine authority.)