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| Pontifical Swiss Guard | |
|---|---|
| Pontificia Cohors Helvetica (Latin) Guardia Svizzera Pontificia (Italian) Päpstliche Schweizergarde (German) Garde suisse pontificale (French) Guardia svizra papala (Romansh) | |
 | |
| Active | 1506–1527 1548–1798 1800–1809 1814–present[2] |
| Country |
|
| Allegiance | Pope Francis |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Close protection, Honour guard |
| Size | 135 men |
| Garrison/HQ | Vatican City |
| Patron | |
| Motto(s) | Acriter et Fideliter "Fiercely and Faithfully" |
| Colors | Red, yellow & blue |
| Anniversaries | 6 May[2] |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-chief | Pope Francis |
| Commander | Christoph Graf |
| Vice commander | Loïc Marc Rossier |
The Pontifical Swiss Guard,[note 1] also known as the Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard,[4] is an armed force and honour guard unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace within the territory of the Vatican City State. Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, it is among the oldest military units in continuous operation,[5] and is sometimes called "the world's smallest army".[4]
The Swiss Guard is popularly recognised by its Renaissance-era dress uniform, consisting of a tunic striped in red, dark blue, and yellow, high plumed helmet, and traditional weapons such as the halberd. However, guardsmen perform their protective duties in functional attire and with modern firearms; since the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981, the Guard has placed greater emphasis on its nonceremonial roles and has seen enhanced training in unarmed combat, small arms, and counterterrorism tactics.
The Swiss Guard is considered an elite military unit and highly selective in its recruitment: candidates must be unmarried Swiss Catholic males between 19 and 30 years of age, and at least 5 feet 8.5 inches (1.74 meters), who have completed basic training with the Swiss Armed Forces and hold a professional diploma or high school degree.[6][7] As of 2024 there were 135 members.[8]
The Swiss Guard's security mission extends to the Pope's apostolic travels, the pontifical palace of Castel Gandolfo, and the College of Cardinals when the papal throne is vacant. Though the Guard traditionally served as watchmen of Vatican City, the overall security and law enforcement of the city-state is conducted by the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City, which is a separate body.
- ^ Werner Affentranger, Fahne Gardekommandant Graf (Gardefahne) (Maa 2015). The banner colonel Graf was completed in April 2015. Its central vignette displays the family coat of arms of Graf of Pfaffnau, "gules a plowshare argent and antlers or". WH 1/396.1 Familienwappen \ Familie: Graf \ Heimatgemeinden: Altbüron, Dagmersellen, Pfaffnau, Schötz, Triengen (State Archives of Lucerne).
- ^ a b Swiss Guard in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
- ^ Tan, Michelle (July 7, 2021). "The Swiss Guard of the Holy See". Catholic News Singapore. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Swiss Guards | History, Vatican, Uniform, Requirements, Weapons, & Facts | Britannica
- ^ The Swiss Guard has been disbanded several times, most notably for twenty years during 1527–1548, and briefly in 1564/5, in 1798/9 and during 1809–1814. "Spotlight on the Swiss Guard". news.va. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2015. Extant units of comparable age include the English Yeomen of the Guard, established in 1485, and the 1st King's Immemorial Infantry Regiment of AHQ of the Spanish Army (Regimiento de Infantería "Inmemorial del Rey" no. 1). "Regimiento de Infantería 'Inmemorial del Rey' nº 1" [Infantry Regiment 'Immemorial del Rey' nº 1] (in Spanish). Ejército de Tierra – Ministerio de Defensa – España. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ^ "Les conditions" (in French). Garde Suisse Pontificale. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "Admission requirements". Official Vatican web page, Roman Curia, Swiss Guards. Archived from the original on 2006-06-14. Retrieved 7 August 2006.
- ^ "Pontifical Swiss Guard - Structure". Vatican. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
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