Swiss Guard

The Pontifical Swiss Guard, also known as the Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard, is a special armed force that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City State. It was started in 1506 by Pope Julius II and is one of the oldest military groups that still exists today. Because of its size and special job, it is sometimes called "the world's smallest army."

Members of the Swiss Guard are easy to recognize because of their colorful Renaissance-style uniforms. These uniforms have red, dark blue, and yellow stripes, a tall hat with feathers, and old-style weapons like the halberd. However, when they are doing their real protection work, they wear regular clothes and carry modern guns.

After a dangerous moment in 1981 when Pope John Paul II was hurt, the Swiss Guard began focusing more on serious protection skills. They train in many difficult jobs, such as helping in dangerous situations, finding and stopping harmful people, and protecting important leaders. The Swiss Guard is known as an elite unit because it chooses its members very carefully. New guards must be unmarried men from Switzerland, between 19 and 30 years old, at least 174 cm tall, and have finished basic training with the Swiss Armed Forces. As of 2024, the Swiss Guard had 135 members.

Their job is not only to watch over the Pope in Vatican City but also to help during the Pope's trips and to protect important places like Castel Gandolfo and the College of Cardinals when there is no Pope. Even though they guard Vatican City, the city's police work is done by a different group called the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City.

History

Italian Wars

The Pontifical Swiss Guard began in the 1400s. Pope Sixtus IV made an agreement with the Swiss Confederacy and built a small building to house soldiers from Switzerland. Later popes continued this partnership, using Swiss soldiers to protect the Vatican.

When wars broke out in Italy, Swiss soldiers were important fighters. In 1505, the first group of Swiss soldiers walked to Rome to protect the Pope. They arrived in January 1506, and that day is celebrated as the start of the Swiss Guard.

One of the Guard’s most famous moments was in 1527 when soldiers fought bravely to help the Pope escape during an attack on Rome. Many guards gave their lives that day.

Early modern history

After the wars ended, the Swiss Guard changed from fighters to protectors of the Pope. Sometimes they were broken up and then brought back together, depending on who was leading the Vatican.

Modern history

In the late 1800s, the Guard became more for ceremonies than real protection. But in the early 1900s, new rules were made to train guards better and wear special uniforms.

Today, the Swiss Guard protects the Pope and also performs ceremonial duties. They wear colorful uniforms from the 1500s and are ready to help keep the Vatican safe.

Recruitment and service

Recruits to the Swiss Guard must be Catholic, single men with Swiss citizenship. They need to have finished high school, completed basic training with the Swiss Armed Forces, and be in good health. They should be between 19 and 30 years old, at least 174 cm tall, and ready to serve for at least 26 months. In 2009, the leader of the Swiss Guard said the Guard might consider allowing women to join in the future. Guards can get married after five years of service.

Those who join receive a salary, Vatican citizenship while they serve, and a place to live. They can also receive special awards for good service.

Oath ceremony on 6 May

New guards take an oath each year on May 6 at the Vatican. In 2025, this ceremony was held later because of events involving Pope Francis. During the ceremony, the chaplain reads the oath, and each new guard promises to serve the Pope and his successors faithfully. They also promise to respect their leaders and follow the rules of their position. Each guard repeats the oath in their own language—German, Italian, French, or Romansh.

Uniforms

The Swiss Guard is known for its colorful and detailed uniforms. The main uniform has blue, red, orange, and yellow colors and looks like clothing from the Renaissance period. It was first used in 1914 and was inspired by old pictures from the 1500s.

Guards wear different uniforms depending on their rank and the occasion. For daily duties, they wear a simple blue uniform with a black hat. For special events, they wear a more elaborate uniform with a tall hat decorated with feathers. Officers have red uniforms with gold details and carry longer swords for leading groups.

The uniforms are made by tailors who work inside the Vatican. Each uniform is made just for one guard and takes a lot of time to complete. The uniforms are very heavy and made from special wool.

Equipment

The Swiss Guard use special weapons and tools for their jobs. One main weapon they carry is called a halberd. Other guards may carry a different kind of polearm called a partisan, or special command batons on special occasions.

All guards also carry a dress sword. Lower ranks have simpler swords, while officers carry more decorated ones. These weapons are kept in a special armory called the Armeria, which also holds many old weapons that are no longer used.

The Armeria has a collection of old armor pieces, some dating back to around 1580, and most from the 18th century. These were used in special ceremonies until 1970 and are now only used during an oath ceremony each year on May 6. In 2012, new copies of these old armor pieces were made by craftsmen in Molln, Upper Austria. These copies were paid for by private donations through a Fribourg-based organization created in 2000.

Bladed weapons

Firearms

In the 1800s, the Swiss Guard used special guns with unique sizes. Today, they use Swiss-made guns because the guards have already trained with them in Switzerland before joining the Swiss Guard.

Current

Retired

Ranks

The Pontifical Swiss Guard has 135 members as of 2024. These members include:

• Commissioned officers: This group includes a Commander with the rank of Colonel, a Vice-Commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, a Chaplain who is equal in rank to a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major, two Captains, and three Lieutenants. The rank of Lieutenant was added in December 2020.

• Non-commissioned officers: This group includes one Sergeant Major, nine Sergeants, fourteen Corporals, and seventeen Vice-Corporals.

• Troop: There are eighty-five Halberdiers in this group.

The names of the current officers and the Sergeant-Major can be found on the Guard’s website.

Insignia

The rank insignia for commissioned officers are shown below.

The rank insignia for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel are shown here.

Banner

The banner of the Swiss Guard shows symbols of the Pope and the Swiss Guard commander. It has changed many times over the years. Each Pope often used colors from their own family coat of arms on the banner.

Today’s banner, made in 2025, shows the coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV and the family coat of arms of Commander Christoph Graf. It is made of special cloth called damask with patterns of pomegranates and thistles. The banner is used in important ceremonies and events of the Swiss Guard. In the past, it was also used during special addresses by the Pope, but now the Flag of Vatican City is sometimes used instead.