Resounding success greeted the documentary 'Honor in Armor' about the Swiss Guard produced by Rome Reports. For the first time ever, unknown episodes in the history of this army are brought to light. For example, the secret missions they carried out during the Nazi occupation of Rome in World War II.
The head of Vatican diplomacy, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, and the Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops, Cardinal Robert Prevost, presided over the event.
ROBERT FRANCIS PREVOST
Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops
I have great apreciation for the respect, for the formation they receive, for what their presence, especially as the guard of the Holy Father, which gives great, if you will, security, on many levels. Once again, from the tradition as well as the presence at every moment of the Pope's travels, the Pope's residence, the Pope's movement, I have the privilege of having contact with them frequently because of my meetings with the Holy Father.
The documentary also reflects the life of this small army from the inside. Veterans, parents and wives of the guards explain the commitment of those who swear to give their lives for the Pope. The documentary is written by Seàn-Patrick Lovett and directed by Jesús Garcés Lambert.
JESÚS GARCÉS LAMBERT
Director of 'Honor in Armor
My idea is that this is a transformative and immersive experience. The Swiss Guards are in wonderful places that are not accessible to the public or the cameras. I'm trying to transport the public to the universe of the Vatican, which is like a time machine. It's like transporting them to back to 1500 in these wonderful places that have some of the most important works of art and that are not accessible to the public but where there is a Swiss guard. My idea is that the viewer is there next to this Swiss guard all the time and breathing the history.
The production was sponsored by the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Doctor Ramón Tallaj Foundation and WaterStone Group.
BARRY JACKSON
Pontificial Mission Societies
I believe it is important that we tell our story forecefuly and truthfully. And when we're talking about the Swiss Guard and the role they play in the Church and for the Holy Father, when I think about Rome Reports,which spends a lot of time focusing on telling the story of the Church, I felt compelled to be involved with this.
This new two-part documentary will premiere in prime time on Swiss public television on December 11, before being broadcast in many other countries around the world.
TR: JD
