06/05/2023 4:17 pm (act. 06/05/2023 04:17 pm)
23 new Swiss Guard recruits ©APA/AFP (archive)
Pope Francis received the Swiss Guard at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on the occasion of the inauguration of 23 new recruits. “I thank the whole Body for the careful and generous collaboration that I experience every day,” said the Holy Father.
“The Swiss Guard is a big family, a living and fraternal community, both in times of service and in periods of rest. And just as the family is a place of growth where you learn many useful things for life, it is also in Guard: it is an environment of human and Christian formation for all, “said the Pope to the new Guards, officers, non-commissioned officers, all members of the corps and their families.
“Each situation, each meeting can be an opportunity to put the Gospel of Christ into practice, learn from the Lord and live fraternal love in his name and with his spirit,” the Pope said. On Saturday morning, the Corps participated in a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica celebrated by Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, who is also Swiss.
Every year on May 6, new guards are sworn in – in memory of the 147 Swiss Guards who were killed that day in 1527 when German and Spanish mercenaries sacked Rome. New members then begin their term of service of at least 26 months. During that time, they are citizens of the Vatican State.
The main task of the Guard is to ensure the security of the person and residence of the leader of the Catholic Church. In addition, guards accompany the Pope on his travels, control the entrances to the Vatican State and carry out security and honorary services.