On May 8, when the white smoke came out of the chimney at the Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the next Pope. The 69-year-old successor of Pope Francis took his new papal name of Leo XIV. As the new head of the Catholic church, he gets access to many perks and privileges. From housing, food, and transportation to healthcare, he is provided with everything a man of his stature needs.
Pope also gets his own Vatican Swiss Guards ready to sacrifice their lives for his safety if the need arises. These guards are called the Pope’s army whose sole mission is to protect the Pope. They also guard the College of Cardinals during a papal conclave. Vatican’s Swiss Guard is the smallest army in the world with a fascinating history and rules that they follow.
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Swiss Guard has protected the Pope for 500 years
The history of Swiss Guard aka the Pope’s army dates back to the 16th century. As per the Vatican, The Pontifical Swiss Guard was founded by Pope Julius II in 1506 with the main goal of protecting the Pope and his residence. The army’s duties also includes accompanying Pope on journeys, guarding the accesses to the Vatican City State, guarding the College of Cardinals during papal transitions, and perform other services of order and honor.
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The Swiss Guards protecting Pope Leo XIV wear the same traditional Renaissance uniforms that the Swiss Guards wore since the 1500s. Their ceremonial velvet uniform has vibrant blue, red and yellow stripes. Basque caps and white collars are also part of their uniform. They wear white gloves for public order duties and black helmets during papal ceremonies. Their night and training dress is different and much simple.
On special occasions such as Easter, Christmas, and swearing-in ceremonies, they wear 17th-century armor, which includes a silver helmet with colored feathers signifying rank.
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Is the Swiss Guard a real army?
Swiss Guard is indeed a real army. It is a dedicated military unit made exclusively of Swiss nationals. They undergo rigorous selection and training process to become a part of the elite army. As mentioned earlier, Pope’s army is the smallest army in the world. The elite military comprises of 135 officers and troops (the numbers were 110 until 2015).
It’s also important to note that the Swiss Guard differs from Vatican City Police. The main aim of the Swiss Guard is to protect the Pope, not the City or its people. It’s the job of the Vatican City Police to provide security to the people.
How to join the Swiss Guard/Pope’s army?
To join Pope’s army, candidates have to be Swiss Citizens, single males and must be practicing Catholics. Marriage can be allowed if a guard is 25 years and older, but must have served five years and committed to serving at least three more years. The candidates must be between 19 and 30 years old and at least 5 feet, 8 inches tall. They must also pass medical and psycho-physical tests. The candidates must also complete Swiss Army recruit school and commit to at least 26 months of service, as per the official website of the Swiss Guard.
As per a report by History, the training for the Swiss Guard has been for two months since 2016. In the first month, the candidates are trained in firefighting, shooting, self-defense, life-saving measures. In the second month, the candidates are taught about ceremonial exercises, where they get to learn Vatican and basic Italian.
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The last battle faced by the Swiss Guard was in 1527. As per a record of Swiss National Museum, 147 Swiss Guards died protecting Pope Clement VII from an attack by 20,000 Holy Roman Empire troops during Sack of Rome. The 42 guards helped Pope escape through a secret passage but everyone was captured eventually. Though Pope Clement VII was released after six months, all the guards were killed. The Swiss Guard was reestablished in 1548 by Pope Clement VII’s successor, Pope Paul III.
A ceremony is held for new recruits on May 6 every year in memory of Sack of Rome’s fallen guards. However, this year, the ceremony was postponed due to Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025.
Scroll down for some more pictures of Pope’s army:
Pope’s Army stood in full ceremonial cuirass uniform during the Holy Father’s “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Christmas 2025.
On May 6th, 2006, the Swiss Guard celebrated its 500th anniversary.
