Pope Leo XIV officiated on Saturday at the induction ceremony of 27 fresh Swiss Guards, offering a surprising celebrity presence to the ceremonial event. The Swiss Guards are striving to recruit enough young men to join this historic military unit, known to be the oldest standing army globally.
Seated on a throne in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, Leo observed as the newly inducted guards, dressed in their iconic yellow, blue, and red “gala uniforms,” raised their right hands in a three-finger salute, vowing to defend and serve him with utmost dedication, even at the cost of their lives.
The Vatican did not disclose the reason behind Leo’s decision to preside over the ceremony. He had participated in it in previous years as a cardinal. Col. Christoph Graf, the corps’ commander, informed the recruits, their families, and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter that it marked the first instance since 1968 that a pope had led the ceremony.
The corps is currently engaged in a promotional effort, having unveiled new uniforms for formal occasions this week. They are also gearing up for a renewed fundraising drive next year to refurbish their tight and outdated living quarters.
In an impromptu address, Leo expressed gratitude to the men for their commitment, noting that it serves as a vital example in today’s society, particularly for the youth.
“It illustrates the critical nature of discipline, the importance of sacrificing to live our faith in a way that communicates to everyone daily, and the value of dedicating our lives to serve and think of others,” he said.
The world’s oldest army
The corps was founded in 1506 by Pope Giulio II and is considered by historians to be the world’s oldest standing army. Tradition has it that he was so impressed by the bravery of Swiss mercenaries that he asked them to defend the Vatican. Ever since, for more than 500 years, Switzerland has been supplying soldiers to the Vatican to staff an army of around 135 men.
Usually, the swearing-in ceremony is held on or near May 6 to commemorate the day in 1527 when 147 guardsmen died while protecting Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome.
This year’s ceremony was postponed following the death in April of Pope Francis and the conclave that elected Leo.
Despite the wait, it was quite a ceremony: It began with the more senior guardsmen processing first into the courtyard in slow-motion to the stuttering snap of drums, as the flags of Swiss cantons fluttered in the chilly, late-afternoon breeze. They were followed by two lines of new guards wearing armor over their uniforms, carrying halberds and donning red-feathered helmets.
After the oaths and Vatican anthem, the musicians among them performed a rendition of Toto’s “Africa” to the delight of the crowd.
The Swiss Guards protect the main entrances of Vatican City, the pope and provide ceremonial guard duty at papal events. But Vatican City is primarily policed by a separate force of gendarmes who hail from Italian law enforcement and also serve as Leo’s main bodyguards.
Sacrifice makes it tough to get recruits
The criteria for entry into the army are strict: Guards must be Swiss, male, practicing Catholics, aged 19-30, at least 1.74-meters (5-foot-7-inch) tall and have an “impeccable reputation.” After completing Swiss military training, they must be willing to serve in Rome for at least 26 months.
Most guards are unmarried, but recruits 25 and older are allowed to marry if they have already served for five years and pledge to stay on for another three.
They’re allowed to go out at night, but there is a curfew. Such sacrifices make finding new recruits increasingly difficult, said Corp. Eliah Cinotti, the corps’ spokesman.
The 27 new ones recruited for 2025-2026 is a decent number, and the corps have received more calls of interest this year given the Holy Year, so the situation is “stable,” he said.
“But that doesn’t mean we don’t have to continue to recruit, recruit,” he told reporters this week.
Cinotti said the corps had adapted to Leo’s new style, most significantly having to be on increasing guard for people throwing objects at him when he’s out in public.
Leo, a devoted tennis player with very good reflexes, has made some skilled catches in his first months as pope, snatching a stuffed animal and tennis ball thrown his way while he has been out on his popemobile.
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