On Monday May 6, 34 new Swiss Guards will take their traditional oath to the Pope, bringing the world’s smallest army back to its full strength of 135 members.
Corporal Eliah Cinotti, a spokesman for the Pope’s security force, expressed relief at returning to pre-COVID levels, which will help them better handle upcoming events like Jubilee scheduled in 2025.
The Swiss Guards, known for their iconic medieval uniforms, operate in various roles, including security details in civilian attire and training with modern weapons like handguns, tasers, and assault rifles.
During the oath ceremony, recruits raise three fingers symbolizing the Holy Trinity and pledge allegiance to the Pope and the College of Cardinals in case of a vacant Holy See.
What to Know About the Swiss Guard
The Swiss Guards, often dubbed “the world’s smallest army,” are responsible for the safety of the Pope and the security of Vatican City and the papal villa of Castel Gandolfo.
1. History of the Swiss Guards
As per British’s newspaper named Britannica, Switzerland might be one of Europe’s wealthiest countries today, but 500 years ago the Swiss economy was struggling, and young men often traveled abroad as mercenaries. These mercenaries were skillfully trained fighters and as a result they were highly sought after in Renaissance Europe.
Swiss mercenaries were long renowned as the best soldiers in the world—the ancient Roman scholar Tacitus stated, “The Helvetians are a people of warriors, famous for the bravery of their soldiers”—and they served the ruling powers of many European countries; they were in particularly high demand in France and Spain.
The guardsmen began serving the Papal States in the late 14th and 15th centuries. In 1505 the Swiss bishop (later cardinal) Matthaus Schiner, acting on behalf of Pope Julius II, proposed the creation of a permanent Swiss contingent that would operate under the direct control of the Pope, and on January 22, 1506, the first contingent of 150 Swiss guardsmen, led by Captain Kaspar von Silenen, arrived at the Vatican.
They soon earned a reputation for self-sacrifice and bravery, as demonstrated during the sack of Rome in 1527, when all but 42 of the 189 guardsmen died defending Pope Clement VII.
The Swiss Guards prepared for similar self-sacrifice during World War II, when the vastly outnumbered guardsmen took up defensive positions as German forces rolled into Rome; Adolf Hitler, however, chose not to attack the Vatican.
The unit was reorganized in 1914 to consist of a commandant (with the rank of colonel), 5 other ranking officers, 15 lesser officers, a chaplain, and 110 pikemen. Further reorganizations were made in 1959 and 1976, and in 1979 their number was fixed at 100 (a commandant, 3 other high officers, a chaplain, 23 lesser officers, 2 drummers, and 70 pikemen).
In 1981 Swiss Guards helped protect John Paul II during an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square. In fact, the plainclothes guardsman who rushed to the pope’s aid became a hero and was named commandant of the Swiss Guards in 1998. Within hours of his promotion, however, he and his wife were shot and killed by a disgruntled lower-ranking guard, who then committed suicide; these were the first murders known to have taken place in Vatican City since the mid-19th century.
The Swiss Guards are sometimes referred to as the Vatican City police, but a separately administered police force is charged with the overall security of the nation-state (except St. Peter’s Square, which is under the jurisdiction of the Italian police).
2. Requirements
Recruits, aged 19 to 30, must be unmarried Roman Catholic males with Swiss citizenship, at least 5 feet 8 inches tall (1.74m), and have a professional diploma or high school degree. They undergo basic military training in Switzerland and a five-week induction course in Rome.
3. Training
After training, recruits become Halberdiers, named after the halberds used by Swiss mercenaries. They receive instruction in modern weaponry and counterterrorism techniques.
4. Working life
Swiss Guards protect the Vatican and the Pope, conduct ceremonial duties, and engage with tourists. Contracts typically last 25 months, during which guards attend Italian language classes.
5. Uniform
The iconic Gala uniform, featuring red, yellow, and blue stripes, is worn for ceremonial duties. Each uniform is tailor-made and takes about 30 hours to create. Guards’ personal uniforms are destroyed after service.
The Pope’s Swiss Guards are an iconic part of the Vatican.
