What is the significance of kissing the pope's ring?

Why do people kiss the Pope's ring? do they do this for cardinals also or only the Pope? read more

There is meaning in kissing the ring, not only of the Pope, but of any bishop. The ring of the Pope is kissed more because he is a bishop than because he is a pope. It is a sign of respect and obedience to a superior. read more

The Pope was thus granted the same respect as any other sovereign ruler, and the kissing of the ring is a sign of this. Needless to say, it is somewhat anachronistic today, as the Pope's realm has shrunk considerably in the modern age as nation-states and governments have taken over many of the jobs the Church used to take responsibility for. read more