Some 34 new Swiss Guards are set to
bring the world's smallest army back up to its full complement
of 135 when they take their traditional oath to the pope on May
6, they told the media as they geared up for the annual event
Tuesday.
"We'll be getting back to pre-COVID levels, its a breath of
oxygen which will enable us to face the Jubilee in a more
comfortable way," said Corporal Eliah Cinotti, spokesman for
Francis's personal security force.
On Tuesday, as they rehearsed for next Mondays oath making, the
guards wore their traditional and iconic medieval uniforms
complete with armour, but they operate more frequently in
civvies and know the right end of a handgun, taser and assault
rifle.
They go through rigorous retraining regimens every month.
The Guards last year got their second Filipino recruit as fully
Philippines born Sebastian Esai Eco joined Swiss-Filipino
Vincent Lu', but this year they will all be Swiss as is more
usual.
In 2002 the Guards got their first black member when
Indian-Swiss Dhani Bachmann took the age-old oath only to leave
and join a Rome private security firm two years later.
Next Monday the 34 recruits, raising three fingers to evoke the
Holy Trinity, will swear allegiance to the pope - and also to
the college of cardinals in the event of a vacant Holy See.
The guards, sporting the characteristic blue-and-orange
Renaissance-style uniform, traditionally swear their oath of
allegiance on May 6 to recall the deaths of 147 predecessors
during the Sack of Rome by Emperor Charles V in 1527.
Only 42 guards survived the attack and ensured that Pope
Clement VII (Giulio de' Medici) escaped the ignominy of capture.
Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the elite corps is
recruited from a group of Swiss towns and villages that for
centuries have provided the Vatican's security watchdogs with
responsibility for guarding the pope and the Apostolic Palace.
During the Middle Ages and in Renaissance times, the
Swiss had the reputation of being Europe's most reliable
mercenaries - tough fighters who hardly ever changed sides.
Recruitment terms are strict.
Candidates have to be single males, at least 1.74m tall,
practising Catholics, to have completed their compulsory
military service in Switzerland and to be "of stainless
character".
Swiss Guards sign on for a minimum of two years.
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