The Swiss Guard is believed to be the oldest and smallest standing army in the world. Pope Julius II, in 1512, granted them the title of “Defenders of the Church’s freedom”. This elite group of soldiers is now inseparable from the Vatican as a symbol of fidelity that has served the Pontiff tirelessly for centuries.
A Brief History of the Swiss Guard
The origin of the Swiss Guard dates back to the period of the Renaissance in Europe when Pope Julius II invited the Helvetian soldiers to the Vatican in 1506. The Helvetians were a Celtic tribe first mentioned in the 2nd century B.C. and the Latin name for Switzerland – Helvetia – is derived from the name of their tribe. The Helvetian soldiers had long been renowned for their unwavering loyalty and fierce courage.
The Swiss Guard and the Vatican
The official date of the formation of the Pontifical Swiss Guard is 22nd January, 1506. A group of 150 Helvetian mercenaries entered the Vatican on this day for the first time with the blessings of Pope Julius II. These soldiers have served there to this day and though their current role is mostly ceremonial in nature, the history of the Vatican is replete with accounts of the bravery shown by them in 1512 during the Battle of Ravenna and in 1527 during the Sack of Rome. Today, a total of 110 guards form the Swiss Guard and are responsible for the Pope’s safety in collaboration with other Vatican security forces.
The Swiss Guard Uniform
The Swiss Guard attire we see today is a treat in color and design, giving these soldiers an unmatched visual identity. The Medici blue, yellow and red colors give the guards’ beret a vibrancy that is gracefully tempered by the white collar and gloves. It is important to mention, however, that the guards’ everyday uniform is completely blue.
Swiss Guard Qualifications and Recruitment
The Vatican lays down certain qualification criteria for those aspiring to enter the elite force of the Swiss Guard. The qualification criteria are as follows:
- Swiss Citizen
- Roman Catholic Faithful
- Attended the military school in Switzerland
- 19 to 30 years of age
- At least 174 cm tall
- Unmarried
- Should have either a professional diploma or a high-school degree
The Swiss Guard Oath of Loyalty
Swiss Guards take their oath of loyalty on 6th May each year. The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Sack of Rome in 1527 when 147 guardsmen lost their lives defending the Pope. The oath-taking ceremony takes place in the St. Damaso Courtyard within the Vatican City in the presence of religious leaders, political and military representatives from the Swiss Confederates, relatives, friends and well-wishers. The new recruits are in full attire and a band plays in the background.
The oath is read out by the Chaplain and is as follows:
"I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI and his legitimate successors, and also dedicate myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing if necessary also my life to defend them. I assume this same commitment with regard to the Sacred College of Cardinals whenever the See is vacant. Furthermore I promise to the Commanding Captain and my other superiors, respect, fidelity and obedience. This I swear! May God and our Holy Patrons assist me!"
The new recruits are then called upon by name one at a time and are expected to reaffirm the oath read out to them by the Chaplain. Their confirmation of the oath reads, "I, ___, swear I will observe faithfully, loyally and honorably all that has now been read out to me! May God and his saints assist me!"
The 505-Year Anniversary of the Swiss Guard Celebrated in the Vatican
An intimate celebration at the Vatican marked the 505-year anniversary of the Swiss Guard on 22nd January. An evening mass was followed by a procession through St. Peter’s Square, culminating in a banquet in the guards’ Vatican quarters. Archbishop Ferdinando Filoni, a high-ranking official in the Vatican's secretariat of state, presided over the mass and told the guards, “For this reason, by serving the Holy Father, in a special way, you participate in the universal mission of the Church.”
The Swiss Guard will forever remain a flame that adds to the glow of ceremony, awe and historic depth associated with the Vatican.
Sources:
Swiss Guard History - Accessed on 6th February, 2011
Swiss Guard Admission Requirements - Accessed on 6th February, 2011
Swiss Guard Commitment - Accessed on 6th February, 2011
Celtic Tribes of Switzerland - Accessed on 6th February, 2011
Celts and other peoples - Accessed on 6th February, 2011
Catholic News Agency - Accessed on 6th February, 2011
Battle of Ravenna 1512 - Accessed on 6th February, 2011
