With their feathered helmets, ruffs and puffed sleeves, the Swiss guards of the Vatican typically conjure up, within the customer’s thoughts, the picture of royal uniforms straight out of the Center Ages. However whereas they fortunately pose for photographers, the Swiss Guards aren’t simply there to impress.
In the beginning of the sixteenth century, mercenaries from Switzerland, well-known for his or her braveness and loyalty, marched on Rome to place themselves within the service of Pope Julius II. Since then, the world’s smallest military has been charged with defending the pope, his house and the borders of the city-state.
On the finish of April, journalists had the uncommon privilege of accessing the Swiss Guard quarters on the east facet of Vatican Metropolis. The possibility to get a glimpse of their every day life, in the midst of the rehearsal earlier than the brand new recruits had been despatched in to take their oath.
A childhood dream
Dressed of their conventional crimson, yellow and blue costume, to which was added their armor and halberd, the lads gathered within the courtyard carried out an elaborate choreography, every pointing the three fingers of the appropriate hand – the image of the divine Trinity – as they announce their oath of allegiance to the Pope. Among the many 34 males who promise him “provide their lives” within the safety of the pontiff of the sovereign is Renato Peter, 22 years previous, from a Swiss city close to Saint-Gall which, for a number of centuries, has given staff to this elite group.
Peter 12 was the primary time he attended a papal viewers in St. Peter’s Sq.. Since then, he has dreamed of changing into a Swiss guard. “Within the night, we went to see their barracks, remembering Peter, who was then visiting Rome along with his parish. I mentioned to myself: this job is so good! Then I advised that to my mom
2024-06-01 06:52:21
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