The Holy See's police force, known as the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City, is still a mystery to some.
This team of men who dedicate their lives to protecting the pope is commonly believed to have been established in 1816, but the book “Vatican Gendarmerie, from the origins to our time” shows it was created much earlier.
Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, many Gendarmerie officers and art experts met in the impressive “Braccio Nuovo” in the Vatican Museums for the presentation of the book.
SANDRO BARBAGALLO
Author, “Vatican Gendarmerie, from the origins to our time”
“In this book, a series of events and historical anecdotes are revealed through documents that had never been published until now. They were hidden in archives once closed to the public, like the archive of the Secretary of State instead of the archive of the Gendarmerie itself.”
These documents unveil details and secrets — like never before told dismissals of Gendarmerie officers —which make up the history of the Vatican security force.
The Gendarmerie is a one-of-a-kind force because it handles all of the functions of the judicial police, intelligence, the pope’s security and the security of the smallest country in the world.
CESARE CATANANTI
Author, “Vatican Gendarmerie, from the origins to our time”
“The Vatican City State didn’t exist as a nation until 1870. It later went through the establishment of Vatican City and also two world wars, terrorism and a number of incredible challenges. What impacted me most when writing this book is its ability to embrace these changes and adapt itself. The ability to act and anticipate these signs of change.”
SANDRO BARBAGALLO
Author, “Vatican Gendarmerie, from the origins to our time”
“The characteristic of Gendarmerie officers, more than anything, is to have a strong sense of loyalty. They also have a strong sense of altruism and sacrifice. It’s a loyalty understood as loyalty to the Holy Father, to the Church and, naturally, to religion.”
As the Gendarmerie motto reads “fides et virtus,” this lifelong job can only be carried out by those with a strong sense of loyalty and courage.
