The Swiss Guard: Centuries of Protecting the Pope: Predecessors have done for centuries. In life and even in death. The Swiss Guard is never far from the Pope’s side. Standing at attention in their distinct blue, red and yellow uniforms and feather plumed hats.
They were there during Pope Francis’s final public appearance on Easter. Later lowering the Vatican’s flags to half mast after his death. Now they’re standing guard at the altar as the Pope lies in state. All part of a mission that goes back half a millennia.
“Swiss guards have been around since the 1500s, so over 500 years. So really, one of the oldest military units on earth.”
The regiment’s uniforms and ceremonial halberd pikes, a remnant of their medieval roots as a group of Swiss mercenaries sworn to protect the Pope, an oath new guards take on May 6th of every year. Recruits for the coveted post must be Swiss men between 19 and 30 years old. They are practicing Catholics and unmarried.
“It is a real sort of elite privilege and a select group of men who become Swiss guards.”
But don’t let these historic uniforms fool you. These guards are soldiers.
“They do serious training – physical training. They do intelligence training.”
Swiss guards were there during a 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul the Second. Since that moment, the Swiss Guard has enhanced tactical training for its members, and since then, pontiffs have enjoyed a close connection to many of their guards.
That’s Pope Francis warmly recalling phone calls with some of his former guards earlier this year who came to visit him at the Vatican.
“The Swiss guards enjoy a reputation of being one incredibly efficient and loyal. They considered a real privilege and an honor to guard the Pope and protect the Pope. And so they see this period in their life almost as one of service.”
Source: raialkhalij + aljazeera