Noble Guard

The Noble Guard (Italian: Guardia Nobile) was one of the special guard units that worked for the Pope. It was part of the military in Vatican City. The unit was started by Pope Pius VII in 1801 as a group of heavy cavalry. It was stopped in 1970 by Pope Paul VI after Vatican II.

The Noble Guard was meant to be the Pope's personal protectors. They would ride with the Pope in his carriage when he traveled around Rome. They also stood guard outside the Pope's rooms in the big papal palaces. The guards could also help with special jobs in the Papal States if the Pope asked.

One of the first big jobs the Noble Guard had was to take Pope Pius VII to Paris in 1804. They helped him travel safely for the coronation of Napoleon.

History

In 1801, the people of Rome asked Pope Pius VII to let them form a special guard for him. The Pope agreed, and the Noble Guard was created on May 11, 1801.

The Noble Guard worked only inside the Vatican and did not fight in battles. They mostly did ceremonial jobs, like standing guard when the Pope had meetings or special events. During World War II, they helped keep Pope Pius XII safe.

In 1970, Pope Paul VI decided to end the Noble Guard as part of changes in the Church. The group was no longer needed, and its members formed a veterans' group called "La Compagnia delle Lance Spezzate" (The Company of the Broken Lances).

Commanders

The Noble Guard had many leaders over the years. Some of the important commanders included Giuseppe, Prince Antici-Mattei from 1801 to 1809, and Don Luigi Braschi-Onesti from 1814 to 1816. Later leaders included Paluzzo, Prince Altieri, who served from 1816 to 1819, and Francesco Barberini-Colonna from 1819 to 1853. The last commander was Mario Filippo Benedetto del Drago, Marquess of Riofreddo, who led the guard from 1957 until it ended in 1970.