Pope Leo XIV presided over the swearing -in ceremony of 27 new on Saturday Swiss Guards lend some stunning star power to a fanfare ceremony as the core struggles to find enough youth to serve in the oldest steep army in the world.
Leo was sitting in a throne in an courtyard of the epostolic palace as a new guard in its specific yellow, blue and red “gala uniform”, who used to hold his right hand in a three-element and protect and serve it “all my strength, sacrifice and if necessary” pledged with my life.
Vatican It was not said why Leo decided to preside over the ceremony, although he participated in previous years as a cardinal. Corps Commander, Colonel Christoff Graf told the recruitments, his family members and Swiss President Karin Keller-Saters that this was the first time when the Pope presided over by the Pope after 1968.
Corps are something about a promotional campaign, showing new uniforms for formal opportunities this week and planning a fresh funding push next year to renew their tight, old barracks.
In an off-the-kapa greeting, Leo thanked men for their dedication and said that it was an important sign in today’s world, especially for young people.
He said, “It understands us the importance of discipline, sacrifice our faith in a way to live in a way that really talks to everyone every day, to give our life, to serve and think of others,” he said.
World’s oldest army
The core was established in 1506 by the Pope Giulio II and is considered by historians to be the oldest permanent army in the world. legacy Is it so impressed by the bravery of Swiss freed soldiers that they asked them to protect the Vatican. Ever since, over 500 years, Switzerland has been supplying soldiers to the army of about 135 men.
Typically, the swearing -in ceremony is held on or near 6 May, when the day is celebrated in 1527, when 147 guardman’s death dies while protecting the Pope Clement VII during his death. Rome,
This year’s ceremony was postponed after death in April. Pope Francis And the closing that Leo was chosen.
Despite the wait, it was quite a function: it began with more senior guardman, which began with a slow processing in the courtyard for the stuttering snap of the first drums, as Swiss Canton flag chillies, late afternoon air were flooded. He was followed by two rows of new guards wearing armor on his uniform, taking Hollabard and donating red -wing helmets.
After the oath and the Vatican anthem, the musicians among them made a rendering of Toto’s “Africa” for the joy of the crowd.
Swiss guards protect the main entrances of the Vatican City, the Pope and provide formal guard duty in the Papal events. But the Vatican City is mainly polished by a separate force of the penis, which meets Italian law enforcement and also serve as the main limits of Leo.
Sacrifice makes it difficult to recruit
The criteria of admission to the army are strict: The guard should practice Swiss, male, Catholics, the age of 19-30, at least 1.74-meters (5-foot-7-inch) is long and “impeccable reputation”. After completing Swiss military training, they should be ready to serve in Rome for at least 26 months.
Most guards are unmarried, but 25 and older are recruited, if they have already served for five years and vow to live for one and three.
They are allowed to go out at night, but there is a curfew. Corps spokesman Corp Elijah Sinoti said that such sacrifices make new recruitments rapidly difficult.
27 new people recruited for 2025-2026 have a decent number, and the core has received more calls of interest in view of the holy year this year, so the situation is “stable”, he said.
He told reporters this week, “But this does not mean that we are not going to recruit, recruiting.”
Cinotti stated that the core had adapted to the new style of Leo, most importantly on the growing guard for those when he was publicly out to throw objects on it when he was out.
Lio, a dedicated tennis player with very good reflex, has made some skilled catch in his first months as the Pope, snatching a stuffed animal and tennis ball, when he is out on his popmobile.
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