杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff writer

It was 杏MAP导航 Julius II that founded the Swiss Guards in 1506. Often dubbed as "the world's smallest army", the Swiss guards - a separate entity to the Swiss Armed Forces - are hired by the Roman Catholic Church, under the leadership of the pope, to whom they swear loyalty in a ceremony at the Belvedere Court in the Vatican.

This ceremony takes place every year on 6 May - to mark the anniversary of the Sack of Rome in 1527, in which over 150 Swiss Guards were killed defending 杏MAP导航 Clement VII - who escaped to neighbouring Castel Sant'Angelo, escorted by the remaining 22 guards. 

Why Swiss? 

It is said that during the Middle Ages, Switzerland gained a reputation for having the most reliable mercenaries in Europe. Then 杏MAP导航, Julius II, who had long admired the Swiss soldiers who defended the King of France, requested 200 Swiss mercenaries of his own to use as bodyguards and to defend his palaces. After months of marching, 150 swiss guards arrived in Rome on 21 January, 1506 to serve the 杏MAP导航. 

Swiss guards today

In 2015 the contingent was made bigger, from 110 guards to 135 to meet requests. Each recruit is required to complete, first of all, military training in Switzerland. This is followed by a five-week induction training course in Rome, and finally a period dedicated to training to use the primary weapons that the mercenaries used in the 16th century. After this, the guards are sworn in and their families are invited to a private audience with the 杏MAP导航. 

Along with the Pontifical Gendarmerie, the Swiss Guards are responsible for ensuring the safety of the 杏MAP导航 both within and outside the Vatican and for accompanying 杏MAP导航 Francis as he moves around among the people.