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As for the silver hammer, it was indeed used to verify the pope's death, for centuries, until the practice ended with reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.
But the camerlengo is still thought to use a silver mallet to destroy the papal ring and seals, symbolizing the end of the dead pope's reign. Symbolism aside, though, the act provides a safeguard against forgeries.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/hammer-time/
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It's just ceremonial to many such customs some only insiders know about
Outsiders tend to guess and make it sound mysterious.
I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
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Within hours of Pope Benedict announcing his resignation, lightning struck St Peter's Basilica.
https://www.independent.ie/incoming/51b6...20/vat.jpg
strange we tok highly of this man
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