The cardinals held their last day of pre-conclave meetings Tuesday morning during which Francis’ fisherman’s ring and his official seal were destroyed in one of the final formal rites of the transition of his pontificate to the next.

The College of Cardinals has gathered in the Vatican for the final meeting before the conclave to elect a new pope begins. All cardinals in the Catholic Church are allowed to participate one last time in the so-called General Congregation of the College of Cardinals on Tuesday.