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| A Look at the World's Smallest and most Colorful Army, The Papal Swiss Guard |
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| The Papal Swiss Guard, the army and protectors of the Pope, are unique in many ways. They have the distinction of being the smallest army in the world, the most traditional unit in the world (the only active halberd regiment on earth) and, if I am not mistaken, are the oldest active military unit in the world as well. Once upon a time Switzerland was well known for having the best infantry in the world, particularly their famous pikemen. With a poor government, and being from a "hands-off" country, everything worked to make the Swiss famous for supplying mercenaries to the many monarchs of Europe, particularly France & The Vatican, though even the British employed them. |
| The Papal Swiss Guard was first formed in the early 1500's by the famous "Warrior Pope" Julius II. Although 250 Swiss troops were chosen to guard the Pope earlier in the 1400's, the official treaty was not made until the reign of Pope Julius II who signed an agreement with the Swiss cantons of Zurich and Lucerne to provide a body guard for the Pope. Over the years their numbers have been reduced, but the elite standards and devout loyalty of the corps have remained ever constant. |
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| Many people mistakenly assume that the Swiss Guards are simply for "show", marching in their antique uniforms armed only with halberds. However, they are a highly trained, well disciplined military unit and have seen action more often than you would think. Their most famous battle came on May 6, 1527 when Rome was sacked by imperial troops, mostly from Germany (including Protestants) and the Swiss Guard suffered heavy losses fighting to protect Pope Clement VII. Still today, May 6 is a special day for the Swiss Guard, when new members take their oath of loyalty to the Pope. It seems that throughout history, whenever traditional authority was under attack, the Swiss Guard was there. The King of France had his own Swiss Guard who served for 175 years. On August 10, 1792 they fought almost completely to the death to protect the royal palace in Paris from the revolutionary mob, taking a large toll of their enemies with them. Later, in 1798 the Papal Swiss Guard were once again thrown into battle when French troops of Napoleon Bonaparte attacked Rome. A few members of the Swiss Guard escorted the Pope out of the Vatican, but he was eventually captured by the French dictator and died in captivity. However, when the next Pope was finally able to return to Rome, he was greeted by his Swiss Guard, rebuilt with new recruits. Even today, only two decades past, the Guard faced deadly force. |
| In 1981, in St Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II came under attack by an assassin. Shot in the chest, the Pope was quickly shielded by his Swiss Guard (in plain clothes) as he was rushed to the hospital and the would-be killer was captured. All members of the Swiss Guard study the latest methods of personal security and recognize that, in this age of terrorism, the leader of a billion Christians around the world is a serious target for evil-doers. For over 500 years the Papal Swiss Guard has defended the Pope and the Vatican, and, despite talk of being dismissed by Pope Paul VI, it seems today that they will still be present, 500 years from now, doing their duty for the Church. |
| (left) a new member of the Swiss Guard takes his oath in his native language to defend the Holy Father, even with his own life if need be. He places one hand on the regimental flag and raises three fingers of the other in recognition of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (below) This year the Papal Swiss Guard recieved its first non-white soldier, a Swiss citizen born in India. |
| Music playing is the Vatican anthem |
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