Defending the pope: behind the Swiss Guards' armour | AFP

Jeremy and Paul, whose surnames cannot be published for security reasons, will soon be sworn in as Swiss Guards at the Vatican, becoming part of an ancient, prestigious body responsible for protecting the pope. The Swiss Guards, the world's oldest practising army, was founded by Pope Julius II in 1506. Its admission requirements are stringent: unmarried, male, Swiss, a practising Catholic, aged between 19 and 30, at least 1.74 metres tall, and bearing, according to the rules, "an impeccable reputation".
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[@David-ns4ym]

A true honor. The sack of Rome and the Swiss guard sacrifice is an amazing story. Another is the defense of the popes residence in France during the French Revolution. Duty and honor !

[@acertainredpanda1115]

I am not Catholic but I respect these men. They protect what they believe in and are trained professionals!

[@ferminodsouza6299]

God bless you guys our savior ❤

[@andrewdaniel1053]

You seem yo be a very clever guy as well your colleagues

[@shutupplease777]

Deus vult! ✝⚔ God bless these men, who protect our Pope!

[@Bad_Gnasher]

How long can you serve in the Swiss Guard?

[@barristansmith9635]

Minimum 2 yrs and you must have Swiss blood

[@rafaelcapuano8280]

​@@barristansmith9635you must be catholic and a swiss citizen.

[@marsoff9898]

1.74 is be exactly 1.74 or over 1.74?

[@Abrahamlincoln7890]

​@@marsoff9898 Be at least 1.74 so you can be 1.74 or taller but not smaller than 1.74 if you want to join

[@lucario2188]

You can serve has much has you want.

[@andrewdaniel1053]

Hey

[@franckranaivo666]

DIEU🍒🇻🇦🍋✝️🍋🇻🇦🍒 PROTÉGEZ TOUS LES VAILLANTS🪢🏵🦁 GARDES SUISSES🥰⛑💮 PONTIFICAUX CHARGÉS DE LA PROTECTION💮🇻🇦🪢😇🪢🇻🇦💮 DES SOUVERAINS📚🇻🇦💒 PONTIFES ROMAINS LES PAPES❤⛑💮🏵🕊🌿🌐🌸🍒🍋😇🇻🇦✝️🇻🇦💒🪅🌿📚🌸🪢🤗💮🙋‍♂️ !!!

[@mrbaab5932]

So, does the armor stop modern bullets?

[@hustensaftvernichter3785]

Of course not.

[@t.wcharles2171]

It's a ceremonial piece, not for normal wear.

[@daniel7767]

they do get some very gucci gear for tactical situations. you just wont ever see it unless theres a real emergency going down

[@henrygstaad9170]

Suisse im your king

[@goodomen5801]

Are they crusaders

[@Braun30]

No, they are the Pope's personal guard and are responsible for the security of part of the Vatican during the period between the death of a Pope and the election of the new one. Apart for being Swiss, unmaried, Catholic and at least 1,74 metres tall they also must have gone through the Recruit School of the Swiss Army, which in other parts of the world is called Basic Training. This may be a bit misguiding as the Swiss Army has a system by which the basic training is made specialising from day one on the function one has assigned when going through recruitment. The contract lasts at least three years and can be renewed up to pensioning age, which is by law 65 years of age.

[@David-ns4ym]

They hold the oldest mercenary contract going I believe. They protect the pope, his residences and have died doing both. The sack of Rome is mentioned the other big one was in the 1700s when over 600 died protecting the pope and his holdings in France. The armor is for show but they are well trained soldiers and they all can use guns etc.

[@Braun30]

@@David-ns4ym the big loss of Swiss mercenaries you mention is the defence of the Tuileries against the French revolutionaries. It did not involve the Pope's guard. 10th August 1792.

[@sputnikone6281]

Men in Tights

[@patc6146]

francis' oompa loompa army