young recruits prepare to join the Pope’s army at the Vatican

There are 34 new soldiers of the Pope who swore loyalty and loyalty to the sovereign pontiff on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Vatican. It is the Swiss Guard, the smallest army in the world, which always attracts the attention of tourists and new recruits.

It is the smallest and oldest army in the world and it is surely one of the most photographed by tourists: the Swiss Guard, the Pope’s army, with its tricolor uniform at the entrance to the Vatican, a contingent responsible for protection of the pope, who strengthens his ranks. The hand-picked new recruits of the 2024 class were sworn in on Monday May 6. For the occasion, the barracks opened its doors to franceinfo.

Next to St. Peter’s Square, behind the high walls of the Vatican, in the pink palace of the Swiss Guard barracks, go to the basement in the armory for a fitting and cleaning session of the ceremonial attire. Bouffant tricolor coat, white gloves, sword, helmet and metal breastplate. Between century-old rifles, halberds with their spear tips, and grease and rags, soldier Marc Dubuis, in a blue coat, takes care of the armor of the new recruits, a piece of equipment loaded with meaning. “It already weighs around ten kilos, that’s not bad, he observes. Plus the helmet, we weigh two kilos more. It is to commemorate the sack of Rome in 1527.”

An army more than 500 years old

Founded by Pope Julius II, the Pope’s Army may be over 500 years old, but it continues to attract young Swiss citizens, provided they meet the strict entry requirements: 1.74 meters, single, 19 at 30, practicing Catholic. Their mission is to protect the Pope and the Vatican.

The training consists in particular of a march in the barracks courtyard, under the orders of the corporal in Italian, German or French. “It is a service which is one of the noblest causes that can be rendered to the Church”, says Gaël Favre, originally from Saint-Aubin (canton of Fribourg). For this 21-year-old carpenter, these two years of engagement in the Swiss Guard are a bit like the school of life. “It’s the first time I’ve left the house, so it already takes a certain maturity. Discipline too.”

“We always live with several people, so for those who are not used to it or who have difficulty with it, it is clear that there is a certain amount of work. These are important things for life afterwards.”

Gael Favre

at franceinfo

Like Gael, there are 34 new soldiers of the Pope who have sworn, according to the formula, “fidelity and loyalty” to the sovereign pontiff. Ready to be on guard at the entrances to the Vatican and to undergo shooting and intervention training. Young people who are joining the ranks of the Swiss Guard, now at its maximum, 135 men, with recruits who will quickly be put to the test. The world’s smallest army has only eight months left before more than 30 million pilgrims disembark for the historic jubilee year in Rome.