Table of shoulder marks worn by officers. Except for ceremonial occasions and exercises, officers of the guard wear civilian dress when on duty. of the Pontifical Swiss Guard bearing Pope Julius II on a litter (by Raphael) are often[when?] After more than 500 years, the old metal helmet was replaced by a 21st-century state-of-the art 3D printed plastic version of the original. The modern guard has the role of bodyguard of the Pope. The guard colours in the second quarter (upper right) were reversed so that the second and third quarters are identical. There the uniform for each guardsman is tailor-made individually. The chaplain of the guard reads aloud the oath in the languages of the guard (German, Italian, and French):[20][21][full citation needed]. 233480. This is intended to provide for the basic needs of a young adult, single male who has chosen to devote his life (for a considerable length of time) to the service of the holy father. [citation needed], In 1798, commander Franz Alois Pfyffer von Altishofen went into exile with the deposed Pius VI. The Pontifical Swiss Guard (also Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard; Latin: Pontificia Cohors Helvetica;[2] Italian: Guardia Svizzera Pontificia; German: Päpstliche Schweizergarde; French: Garde suisse pontificale; Romansh: Guardia svizra papala) The full set is comprised of more than one hundred and fifty items and takes around 32hrs and three sittings to complete. Over many centuries, Swiss mercenaries developed a stellar reputation of being the most courageous soldiers that money could hire. He also attempted to introduce modern arms, but Pius X only permitted the presence of firearms if they were not functional. When we see images of the Vatican one of the details that tends to catch our eye are the gentlemen who suit themselves in blue, gold, and red, and stand as statue-like figures throughout the scape of the papal quarters. During the looting and burning, half of the 55,000 Roman inhabitants were killed. Under Pius IX (Mastai Ferretti, r. 1846-1878), it was divided into three horizontal fields, displaying the coat of arms of the Holy See (keys in saltire surmounted by the papal tiara on a red field), the Swiss flag (a white cross with two laurel branches on a red field) and a yellow field without heraldic charge. The clothes are handmade in the Vatican and personally tailored to each guard. The official full dress uniform is of blue, red, orange and yellow with a distinctly Renaissance appearance. The corporals have red braid insignia on their cuffs and use a different, more spear-like, halberd. Among the participants in the war against Naples was Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future Pope Julius II (1503–1513), who was well acquainted with the Swiss, having been Bishop of Lausanne years earlier. Previously, to don a wedding ring, one had to have reached the rank of colonel. ). Recruits must have a professional degree or high school diploma and must be between 19 and 30 years of age and at least 174 cm (5 ft 8.5 in) tall. If he is standing at ease with hands clasped either in front or behind his back then fire away ... your questions that is - he is there to help. The last stand battlefield is located on the left side of St Peter's Basilica, close to the Campo Santo Teutonico (German Graveyard). The old metal helmet has been replaced by a 21st century high-tech, 3D-printed version, made of UV-resistant PVC, a common type of plastic. Norway vs Russia: How Do Their Militaries Compare? Pope Sixtus IV (1471–1484) had already made an alliance with the Swiss Confederacy and built barracks in Via Pellegrino after foreseeing the possibility of recruiting Swiss mercenaries. When the gala uniform is worn, sergeants have a different pattern of armor with a gold cord across the chest. About 20 Guards have wives and children who live with them inside the walls of the Vatican. Once accepted, volunteers vow to “faithfully, loyally and honourably serve” the pope and his successors “sacrificing if necessary [their own] life to defend them.” The yearly salary for an entry level halberder (private) in the Swiss Guard is €15,600 a year (about $18,400 USD). They have all the same rights and duties as their male colleagues and are allowed to enlist in any of the services including combat units. Repond designed the distinctive Renaissance-style uniforms still worn by the modern Swiss Guard. This was increased to 100 men by John Paul II on 5 April 1979. [36] The Swiss Guard historically also used the M1842 T.59-67, 1871 Vetterli, Schmidt-Rubin K31 and SIG SG 510 rifles, the Dreyse M1907 pistol, and the SIG MKMO, Hispano-Suiza MP43/44 and Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns.[35]. The outfits may look overly pompous to a modern-day observer, more like that of a jester than an elite soldier, but the Swiss Guards have held the spot of one of the world’s highest skilled marksmen for centuries. Apart from academic achievement and good behaviour, potential recruits have to be unmarried Catholic citizens of Switzerland under the age of 30. [22], (French version) Moi, ..., jure d’observer, loyalement et de bonne foi, tout ce qui vient de m’être lu aussi vrai que Dieu et ses Saints m’assistent.[22]. Historical armour was worn on the occasion of canonizations until 1970, since 1970 their use has been limited to the oath ceremony on 6 May. Pope Julius II later granted them the title "Defenders of the Church's freedom". The Guard’s salary of €1500 is below average in Italy. [7][8], "The Swiss see the sad situation of the Church of God, Mother of Christianity, and realize how grave and dangerous it is that any tyrant, avid for wealth, can assault with impunity, the common Mother of Christianity," declared Huldrych Zwingli, a Swiss Catholic who later became a Protestant reformer. It has been over a decade since Pontifical Swiss Guard commandant, Daniel Anrig, said that the Swiss Guard might one day be open to recruiting women. The central vignette is embroidered on the backdrop of the colours of the flag of Lucerne. Swiss Guards are religious men who see their duty of protecting the Supreme Pontiff as an honour rather than a way to get rich. [6], In September 1505, the first contingent of 150 soldiers started their march towards Rome, under the command of Kaspar von Silenen, and entered the city on 22 January 1506, today given as the official date of the Guard's foundation. Working in the smallest country in the world with only 825 citizens means that the Swiss Guards are not required to pay taxes. "Their monthly salary is SFr1,800 ($1,463) tax free. The oldest specimens date to c. 1580, while the majority originates in the 18th century. At the same time, the Gendarmerie Corps was transformed into a Central Security Office, with the duties of protecting the Pope, defending Vatican City, and providing police and security services within its territory, while the Swiss Guard continued to serve ceremonial functions only. They entered the city on 22nd January 1506, which became the official date of the Guard’s foundation. Repond's design was inspired by 16th-century depictions of the Swiss Guard. In September of that year, 150 young Swiss soldiers marched from their home country to Italy. After the failed assassination attempt of John Paul II in 1981, a stronger emphasis was placed on increased training in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, raising the level of the elite warriors even higher. [25] £22,000 to £28,000 Per Year + Bonus share scheme! This was made possible through the financing of the German merchants from Augsburg, Bavaria, Ulrich and Jacob Fugger, who had invested in the Pope and saw it fit to protect their investment. British journalist John Follain, who published a book on the case in 2006, concluded that the killer acted purely on personal motivation.[15]. Pompous outfits aside, the Guards have more than 500 years of excellence and impeccable brave conduct to uphold. Alas, no public tours take place in this secretive historical gem, although some clergymen, scholars and weapons experts have been given special permission to visit. The Benemerenti medal is usually awarded after three years of faithful service. As recruits to the Swiss Guard must have passed basic military training in Switzerland, they are already familiar with these weapons when they begin their service. It is possible although currently, all Swiss Guards are male. In December 2014, Pope Francis directed that Daniel Anrig's term as commander should end on 31 January 2015, being replaced by his deputy Christoph Graf. He is a convert to the Catholic faith with 7+ years of experience in both Catholic and Evangelical ministry settings. He completed his undergraduate studies in marketing through McNeese State University and is currently pursuing a M.A. If more firepower is required, the Guards can take out their SIG SG550 rifle – the standard StW 90 or the SG 552 Commando model which they also have. The pepper spray used by the Swiss Army (RSG-2000) is also in use. The eponymous main weapon of the halbardiers is the halberd; corporals and vice-corporals are equipped with a partisan polearm. They also enjoy free housing and their children’s school fees are taken care of. They also enjoy 30 days of paid annual leave. The unit's security mission is assisted by the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City. [31][32] The banner would change with each pontificate, and depict the colours of the coat of arms of the reigning pope. Members of the guard are eligible for Vatican decorations. In 2019, after more than 500 years, the Swiss Guard will receive new and modernized helmets. The duties of protecting public order and security in the Vatican lay with the Papal Gendarmerie Corps, while the Swiss Guard, the Palatine Guard and the Noble Guard served mostly ceremonial functions. Clement VII was forced to replace the Swiss Guard by a contingent of 200 German mercenaries (Custodia Peditum Germanorum). Regular guardsmen (halberdiers) receive a tax-free salary of EUR 1,300 per month (as of 2015) plus extra pay for hours worked overtime. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Swiss Guard, in April–May 2006, 80 former guardsmen marched from Bellinzona in southern Switzerland to Rome, recalling the march of the original 200 Swiss guards to take up Papal service, in 1505. The sacrifice of the Swiss is remembered until this day. [38] Repond proposed to recruit only native citizens of Switzerland and he introduced rigorous military exercises. Still sporting the bright colours of the Renaissance, the flaring skirt, which was a common feature at the time, was swapped for the trousers and the feathered helmet received a modern makeover last year. When Cardinal della Rovere became Pope Julius II in 1503, he asked the Swiss Diet to provide him with a constant corps of 200 Swiss mercenaries. [27] Usually the commander and the chief of staff (usually the vice-commander) use armor when present at gala ceremonies. All Rights Reserved. They also enjoy free housing and their children’s school fees are taken care of. The ordinary guardsmen and the sub-corporals wear the "tricolor" (yellow, blue and red) uniform without any rank distinctions except for a different model of halberd in gala dress. A fresco by Polidoro da Caravaggio in the burial chapel of the guard in Santa Maria della Pietà in Campo Santo Teutonico, commissioned by the second commander, Marx Röist, in 1522, depicts the commander of the guard flanked by two banners.