The 23 new recruits of the Swiss Guard will swear allegiance to Pope Francis and his successors on May 6 at 5 p.m. in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. They will officially become members of the world's smallest army.
Before last year's ceremony, the Pope met with the recruits' families. In that meeting, he reminded them of their mission of unity.
POPE FRANCIS
Living service in a communal sense is also a challenge because it involves loving individuals with different personalities, temperaments and sensibilities, but find themselves walking a stretch of road together.
The Swiss Guards' daily tasks consist of protecting the Pope, securing access to the Vatican and the Apostolic Palace, as well as maintaining order during papal ceremonies. These are duties they already perform before the swearing in ceremony.
The Swiss Guards were founded by Pope Julius II in 1506. The swearing in ceremony remembers the 147 Swiss Guards who died defending Pope Clement VII against an invading French army. For the ceremony, the Guards will wear the Grand Gala, a uniform normally reserved for the 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing, Christmas and Easter.
PA
TR: OJ
