Gold regalia still exist today. For example, for each newly elected pope, a "fisherman's ring" with his name and the image of St. Peter is cast in gold. The decoration symbolizes the salvation of human souls. After the death or abdication of the pontiff, the ring was destroyed; in our time, two cuts are made on the ring. Interestingly, at the request of the current Pope Francis, his ring was made of silver in order to save money - gold would have cost the treasury of a small country dearly.