Pope tells new Swiss Guards to ditch phones, visit Rome

Pope Francis told the newest cohort of
young men to join the Swiss Guards Monday that they should ditch
their phones and get out and visit Rome, taking part in the
local community.

   
Francis told the 34 new recruits that brought the world's
smallest army back up to its full complement: "I urge you to
actively and intensely cultivate community life.

   
"Today the habit is widespread among young people of spending
their spare time along with their computers or smartphones. And
so I say to you too, young Guards: go against the grain!
"It's better to use your free time for common activities, to get
to know Rome, for moments of fraternity in which to recount
yourselves and share things. These experiences will build up
inside of you and will accompany you for your whole lives".

   
The 34 recruits, raising three fingers to evoke the
Holy Trinity, swore allegiance to the pope saying "I,
Halberdier, swear to faithfully, loyally and honorably observe
all that was read to me in this moment. May God and our Patron
Saints assist me!"
Of the 34, only two are native Italian speakers, while 16 are
German speakers, 16 French speakers. and there were no Romansh
speakers.

   
The guards, sporting the characteristic blue-and-orange
Renaissance-style uniform, traditionally swear their oath of
allegiance on May 6 to recall the deaths of 147 predecessors
during the Sack of Rome by Emperor Charles V in 1527.

   
Only 42 guards survived the attack and ensured that Pope
Clement VII (Giulio de' Medici) escaped the ignominy of capture.

   
Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the elite corps is
recruited from a group of Swiss towns and villages that for
centuries have provided the Vatican's security watchdogs with
responsibility for guarding the pope and the Apostolic Palace.

   
During the Middle Ages and in Renaissance times, the
Swiss had the reputation of being Europe's most reliable
mercenaries - tough fighters who hardly ever changed sides.

   
Recruitment terms are strict.

   
Candidates have to be single males, at least 1.74m tall,
practising Catholics, to have completed their compulsory
military service in Switzerland and to be "of stainless
character".

   
Swiss Guards sign on for a minimum of two years.

   
Commenting on the new blood, Corporal Eliah Cinotti, spokesman
for Francis's personal security force, said: "We'll be getting
back to pre-COVID levels, its a breath of oxygen which will
enable us to face the Jubilee in a more comfortable way."
The guards wore their traditional and iconic yellow blue and red
Renaissance uniforms complete with armour, reputedly but
apocryphally designed by Raphael or Michelangelo, but they
operate more frequently in civvies and know the right end of a
handgun, taser and assault rifle.

   
They go through rigorous retraining regimens every month.

   
The Guards last year got their second Filipino recruit as fully
Philippines born Sebastian Esai Eco joined Swiss-Filipino
Vincent Lu', but this year they were all Swiss as is more
usual.

   
In 2002 the Guards got their first black member when
Indian-Swiss Dhani Bachmann took the age-old oath only to leave
and join a Rome private security firm two years later.

   

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA