By Matters India Reporter New Delhi: Catholics in India have welcomed the decision of Swiss Guards to accommodate female soldiers. The Swiss Guards, the world’s smallest army with just 140 soldiers, have faithfully protected popes for more than 500 years. The army was formed in 1506. Recruits must be single,Continue Reading
Vatican City: January 22 marks the anniversary of the Swiss Guards, founded under Pope Julius II. This year the Guards celebrate 515 years. It was Pope Julius II that founded the Swiss Guards in 1506. Often dubbed as “the world’s smallest army,” the Swiss guards – a separate entity toContinue Reading
Rome: For the first time, the Vatican has sworn in a Swiss with Filipino parentage as member of the Swiss Guard, the elite corps of soldiers who protect the Pope. Vincent Lüthi was among the 38 new recruits who took oath of allegiance to Pope Francis in the Vatican onContinue Reading
The Pontifical Swiss Guard, the colourfully dressed bodyguards who protect the pope, will be trading in their heavy metal helmets for 3D-printed plastic headgear. The new helmets will look exactly like the old ones, which are based on a 16th-century design that was scanned and computerized before being printed. KnownContinue Reading
Vatican : Each year on May 6, the new recruits for the Pontifical Swiss Guard are sworn in at an impressive, and ancient, ceremony in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. The forty new Swiss Guards are the first group of recruits to go through the new modelContinue Reading
Vatican City : The head of Vatican security has said ISIS militants have threatened the Vatican, but there are no indications of any planned attack. The Vatican gendarmes, Swiss Guards and the Italian state police that patrol the perimeter of Vatican City State are always on high alert, said DomenicoContinue Reading