Here are some questions and answers about the history, curiosities and numbers of the Pontifical Swiss Guard
What is the Pontifical Swiss Guard?
It is an armed body in the service of the papacy. It is the only body of Swiss guards still operational. Deals with the vigilance, safety and protection of the Pope inside the apostolic palace and during his travels, In addition to honor services during hearings and receptions.
The Swiss guard presides, jointly with the body of the Gendarmerie of the State of the Vatican City, to the ceremonies in the Basilica of San Pietro and in the classroom Paul VI; It also deals with the control of accesses in the Vatican and, during the vacant office, of the protection of the Cardinal College.
When was it officially born?
In 1506, when the first Swiss arrived at the request of Pope Julius II. January 22, 1506 is the official date of the Foundation, The day that 150 Swiss from Canton Uri entered, under the command of Captain Kaspar von Silense, from the “Porta del Popolo” for the first time in the Vatican and were blessed by Pope Julius II.
With the birth in 1929 of the Vatican State, the Swiss guards became the official militia of the new state.
During the Second World War Pope Pius XII temporarily expanded the body of the Swiss guards which was led to over 300 effectiveboth to give refuge to the many displaced people and to give greater stability to the Vatican city.
The oath ceremony of the new recruits of the Swiss Guard
Why does the oath of the new recruits take place on May 6th?
In memory of the sack of Rome that took place on 6 May 1527. The Swiss guards participated in that battle, launched by the militias of Charles V, allowing their sacrifice to Pope Clement VII to have life saved. Of the 189 Swiss, only forty -two were saved, that is, those who at the last moment had accompanied Clemente VII in the escape along the Passetto di Borgo, the passage that connects the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo.
On June 5 Clemente Vii surrendered. For saving life, he had to accept heavy conditions (the abandonment of the fortresses of Ostia, Civitavecchia and Civita Castellana and the cities of Modena, Parma and Piacenza as well as the payment of four hundred thousand Ducati).
The papal garrison was replaced with Spanish and lanzichenecchi mercenaries. The Pope obtained that the surviving Swiss were included in the new guard, But only 12 of them accepted including Hans Gutenberg Di Coirà and Albert Rosin of Zurich; The others did not want to have anything to do with the hated lanzichenecchi.
During the taking of Rome by Italian troops in 1870, the Swiss guards remained in Pope Pius IX’s personal defense in his accommodation.
Where and how does the oath ceremony take place?
In the courtyard of S. Damaso in the presence of the highest religious personalities of the Vatican, political and military representatives of the Swiss Confederation, relatives, friends and sympathizers who assist you.
The guard is in uniform of Grand Gala, from the commander to the last halbardiere.
The chaplain of the guard law in full the text of the oath: “I swear to serve faithfully, loyally and honorably the Supreme Pontiff Francesco and his legitimate successors, as well as to dedicate myself to them with all his strength, sacrificing, where it is also necessary to life for their defense. I take these commitments regarding the Sacred College of Cardinals for the duration of the vacant office. I also promise to the commander captain and to my other superiors respect, loyalty and obedience. I swear. That God and our patron saints assist me ».
Then the new recruits, called by name, come forward and each one, With his left hand on the guard flag and the right raised with the three open fingers, as a symbol of the Trinity, confirms and swears: “I,. . ., I swear to faithfully observe, loyally and honorably everything that has been read to me right now. That God or his saints assist me “
What are the patrons of the Swiss guard?
San Martino (11 November), San Sebastiano (January 20) and San Niklaus von Flüe, “Defensor Pacis et Pater Patriae” (September 25).
What are the requirements to join the Swiss guard?
-male exercise
-Switzerland
-being of Catholic faith
-Avere carried out military service in the Swiss army and having obtained a certificate of good conduct
-As over an age between 18 and 30 years
-Avere a height of not less than 174 centimeters
-being celibate (marriage is admitted only for corporals and superior degrees)
-Avere a certificate of professional ability or medium-superior maturity
What is the typical day of a guard?
Everyday two thirds of the staff are committed to mounting the guard to the entrances of the apostolic palace, That is, in the courtyard of S. Damaso, in the courtyard of the Belvedere, in the plans of the various lodges, in the control room, in front of the offices of the Secretariat of State and in the Pope’s private apartment; Furthermore, to the external entrances, that is to the Petriano gate (formerly Sant’Affizio), on the bell arch, to the bronze door and to Porta S. Anna.
To provide honor, control and order service, The guard is committed every time the Pope is present, that is, in the liturgical celebrations in the Basilica and in St. Peter’s Square, in the general hearings, in visits of heads of stateHeads of government, foreign ministers and ambassadors.
What is the motto?
“Acriter et Fideliter” (“with courage and loyalty”)
How many men are the body of the Swiss guards?
In total from 110 men divided as follows:
–Officials: 1 Oberst (Colonel, the commander of the guards); 1 Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel, the deputy commander) 1 Kaplan (military chaplain, considered as a lieutenant colonel) 1 Major (major) 2 Hauptmann (captain)
–Non -commissioned officers: 1 Feldweibel (Sergeant Maggiore) 5 Wachtmeister (sergeant) 10 Korporal (corporal) 10 Vizekorporal (deputy corporal)
–Troop: 78 Hellebardier/Gardist (Alabardiere/Guard)
Is it true that the uniform was designed by Michelangelo?
The official uniform of the Swiss guards is blue, red and dark yellow in color, with distinct Renaissance traits.
The widespread opinion that the uniform was designed by Michelangelo, also due to the fact that the artist was in Rome when the first contingent of Swiss soldiers arrive, is a legend: The current uniform, in fact, was conceived by the commander Jules Rondonda in the early twentieth century, inspired by the historical uniforms and the work of Raffaello.
In particular, The blue and yellow colors are inspired by those contained in the family coat of arms of Pope Julius II of the Roverethe founder of the body, while the red color contained in the coat of arms of Pope Clement VII of the Medici family.
The coat of arms of Julius II has also taken up on the helf, more properly a dying; In fact, a thrown oak stands on both sides of the silver headdress, adorned with ostrich feathers of different color depending on the degree of the military. The dying is worn, in combination with the bib of a seventeenth century armor, on special occasions, sported in the large uniform.
The Swiss guards also have a work uniform, more convenient than the traditional one: it consists of blue pants and jacket and a black be Bask.
