How many swiss guards protect the pope

This style of gala uniform has been worn by Swiss Guards since These eye-catching ensembles are tailor-made to fit each guard. They are sown by tailors inside the Vatican barracks and it takes about 30 hours to create each uniform! Specialized blacksmiths are tasked with replacing armor when these older items can not be fixed.

In keeping with tradition, the ostrich feathered morion helmets worn by Swiss Guards, still hold the family symbol of Pop Julius II, the oak tree. While the majority of duties upheld by Swiss Guards are peaceful, they have been involved in some devastating battles through the ages. Their most significant military engagement was in when guards were killed during a battle with the Holy Roman Empire. Find out more about these fascinating guards and the palace they safeguard as you discover the mysteries of the Holy See on one of these best Vatican tours.

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The Requirements Before applying to the posts, candidates must ensure that they meet strict requirements. Training Each recruit is required to complete basic military training in Switzerland. Swiss Guards in Battle While the majority of duties upheld by Swiss Guards are peaceful, they have been involved in some devastating battles through the ages.

New recruits With the 34 new recruits, the Pontifical Swiss Guard number around , just shy of the maximum allowed of Keeping alive the flame of tradition The Commander of the Swiss Guard, Colonel Christoph Graf, spoke to the new Guards, who hail from all the major regions of Switzerland. Your contribution for a great mission: support us in bringing the Pope's words into every home. Topics Vatican Swiss Guard ceremonies. But in recent years their numbers have been dwindling. What does the future hold for the Swiss Guards?

This week, 23 more young soldiers were sworn in on May 6, a symbolic date that commemorates the sack of Rome. But much has changed over the past years, both in Switzerland and the Vatican. The soldiers are mostly known for their ceremonial role during official receptions and visits, where they can be seen decked out in impressively coloured uniforms, carrying swords and halberds, and sporting modern 3D-printed helmets.

As a result, they now sometimes carry pistols and pepper spray. In a speech delivered to the new recruits, Pope Francis also informed them of a softer task: that of counselling and usually turning down the countless callers and petitioners who arrive at the Vatican with requests. Swiss Guards must be male and hold a completed apprenticeship or post-secondary degree; they must be Catholic, have an irreproachable reputation, and have successfully completed military school in Switzerland — where they learn the fundamental principles of discipline, military interaction, and camaraderie.

Finding young and qualified men that are ready to spend several years in the service of the Pope is not straightforward, and for three years now, fewer and fewer candidates have been applying. In Switzerland, the above-mentioned foundation now pays the tuition fees for children of Swiss Guard soldiers. It also tries to help reintegration in the Swiss or Italian labour markets, once the mandate has ended. It also plans to cover half of the contributions of guards to voluntary pension schemes in the future.

Before, only officers and long-serving guards could marry. Now, a guard who wishes to become engaged must be 25 years old and must pledge to remain in service for another three years. Last year, the Swiss guards started a YouTube channel External link in an attempt to encourage new recruits to sign up. SWI swissinfo.