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The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the small armed forces unit that protects the Pope and Vatican City. [1] Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, it is one of the oldest military units still in operation. [2] The Swiss Guard serves as the ceremonial guards and bodyguards of the Pope, wearing traditional Renaissance-style uniforms. [3] Recruits must be unmarried Swiss Catholic men aged 19-30 who have completed Swiss military service.

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89 views3 pages

Swiss Guard: Jump To Navigation Jump To Search

The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the small armed forces unit that protects the Pope and Vatican City. [1] Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, it is one of the oldest military units still in operation. [2] The Swiss Guard serves as the ceremonial guards and bodyguards of the Pope, wearing traditional Renaissance-style uniforms. [3] Recruits must be unmarried Swiss Catholic men aged 19-30 who have completed Swiss military service.

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Jeric Real
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Swiss Guard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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For the Swiss Guards in France and other countries, see Swiss Guards.

Pontifical Swiss Guard

Latin: Pontificia Cohors Helvetica

Italian: Guardia Svizzera Pontificia

German: Päpstliche Schweizergarde

French: Garde suisse pontificale

Romansh: Guardia svizra papala

Banner of the Pontifical Swiss Guard of Pope Francis under the command

of Christoph Graf (2015 to present)[1]

Active 22 January 1506 – present (514

years)

  Vatican City
Country
 Papal States

Allegiance Pope Francis

Branch Army
Type Infantry guards

Role Close protection

Size 135 men

Garrison/HQ Vatican City

Patron Ignatius of Loyola

Martin of Tours

Saint Sebastian

Nicholas of Flüe

Motto(s) "Acriter et Fideliter"

Fiercely and Faithfully

Colours Red, yellow & blue

Engagements War of Urbino (1517)

Sack of Rome (1527)

Battle of Lepanto (1571)

Commanders

Ceremonial Chief Pope Francis

Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Christoph Graf

Guard

Vice Commander Philippe Morard

The Pontifical Swiss Guard (also Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard; Latin: Pontificia


Cohors Helvetica;[2] Italian: Guardia Svizzera Pontificia; German: Päpstliche
Schweizergarde; French: Garde suisse pontificale; Romansh: Guardia svizra papala) is a
minor armed forces and honour guards unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the Pope and
the Apostolic Palace, serving as the de facto military of Vatican City. Established in 1506
under Pope Julius II, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is among the oldest military units in continuous
operation.[3]
The dress uniform is of blue, red, orange and yellow with a distinctly Renaissance appearance. The
modern guard has the role of bodyguard of the Pope. The Swiss Guard are equipped with traditional
weapons, such as the halberd, as well as with modern firearms. Since the failed assassination
attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981, a much stronger emphasis has been placed on the Guard's
non-ceremonial roles, and has seen enhanced training in unarmed combat and small arms.
Recruits to the guards must be unmarried Swiss Catholic males between 19 and 30 years of age
who have completed basic training with the Swiss Armed Forces.[4]
The unit's security mission is assisted by the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City.

Contents

 1History
o 1.1Italian Wars
o 1.2Early modern history
o 1.3Modern history
 2Recruitment and service
 3Uniforms
 4Equipment
 5Ranks and insignia
 6Banner
 7See also
 8References
 9Sources
 10External links

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