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Pope Leo XIV Swears In 28 New Swiss Guards

5/8/2026

Summary

Pope Inducts Guard

Pope Leo XIV swore in 28 Swiss Guard recruits on May 6 2026 at the Paul VI Audience Hall, where they held Guard’s banner, raised three fingers and vowed to protect the Pope unto death.
Candidates must be unmarried Swiss Catholic men 19-30, at least 1.74 m tall, with Swiss military service and a high-school diploma, serving a 26-month term in Vatican barracks.
The Guard uses modern firearms, counter-terrorism training, biometric surveillance and cyber-security.

Summary

Pope Praises Guard

Pope Francis praised the Swiss Guard’s patient service and urged support for their families at the foundation’s 25th-anniversary audience.
He highlighted the growing number of married guards with children, calling family life very important for the corps.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard Foundation, founded in 2000, offers education, professional-development aid, training programmes, equipment upgrades, and keeps contact with former guards in Switzerland.

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Pope Inducts Guard

Pope Leo XIV swore in 28 Swiss Guard recruits on May 6 2026 at the Paul VI Audience Hall, where they held Guard’s banner, raised three fingers and vowed to protect the Pope unto death.
Candidates must be unmarried Swiss Catholic men 19-30, at least 1.74 m tall, with Swiss military service and a high-school diploma, serving a 26-month term in Vatican barracks.
The Guard uses modern firearms, counter-terrorism training, biometric surveillance and cyber-security.

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