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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV greets Commander Christoph Graf of the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Attends Swearing-in Of New Swiss Guard Recruits - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing-in of 27 new Swiss Guard recruits at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on October 4, 2025. The new Swiss guard recruits take an oath to protect the Pope. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV greeting Commander Christoph Graf of the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of the swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV greeting Commander Christoph Graf of the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of the swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV greeting Commander Christoph Graf of the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of the swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV greeting Commander Christoph Graf of the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of the swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes The Pontifical Swiss Guard - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Pontifical Swiss Guard on the occasion of their swearing in of new recruits on October 3, 2025 in the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV thanks Pontifical Swiss Guards for their protection since day one of his pontificate. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Audience For Vatican Employees - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV attends an audience for Vatican employees and their families at the Paul VI Hall, Vatican on May 24, 2025. It marked his first encounter since being elected Pope with officials of the Roman Curia, and the employees of the Holy See, the Governorate of Vatican City State, and the Vicariate of Rome. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Meets With The College Of Cardinals - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV is leaving, walking near a Swiss Guard, after his first official address to the College of Cardinals following his election at the Vatican on May 10, 2025. Addressing the Cardinals, whom he called the ‘closest collaborators of the Pope,’ Pope Leo XIV delivered his first official address as the Successor of Peter, expressing heartfelt gratitude and an awareness of the immense responsibility now entrusted to him. Photo by (EV) Vatican Media/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

The Vatican's Swiss Guards swore in 32 new recruits on May 6, 2009. The new recruits joined their ranks in an elaborate swearing-in ceremony in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. The ceremony is held each May 6 to commemorate the 147 Swiss Guards who died protecting Pope Clement VII during the 1527 Sack of Rome. Then each new recruit grasped the corps' flag and, raising three fingers in a symbol of the Holy Trinity, swore to uphold the Swiss Guard oath to protect Benedict XVI and his successors. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards on Saint Peter Square in Rome, Vatican on december 25,2011. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

New recruit of the Swiss Guards tries his uniform on with two dressmakers on May 6, 2016 at the Vatican. The pompous title 'defenders of the freedom of the Church' qualifies the Swiss Guards, of which there are one hundred. These soldiers are not nearly as picturesque as their uniforms, which are said to have been designed by either Raphael or Michaelangelo, but whose design was actually produced at the turn of the last century. It is not a simple procedure to become a member of the Guard, which is one of the world's oldest military factions. One must have Swiss nationality, be of the Catholic faith, measure over 1.74 meters in height, and be less than 25 years of age when signing on for the first time. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

New recruit of the Swiss Guards before the swearing-in ceremony on May 6, 2005 at the Vatican. The ceremony is held each May 6 to commemorate the 147 Swiss Guards who died protecting Pope Clement VII during the 1527 Sack of Rome. The pompous title 'defenders of the freedom of the Church' qualifies the Swiss Guards, of which there are one hundred. These soldiers are not nearly as picturesque as their uniforms, which are said to have been designed by either Raphael or Michaelangelo, but whose design was actually produced at the turn of the last century. It is not a simple procedure to become a member of the Guard, which is one of the world's oldest military factions. One must have Swiss nationality, be of the Catholic faith, measure over 1.74 meters in height, and be less than 25 years of age when signing on for the first time. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards stand watch at the bronze door (Portone di Bronzo ) main entrance to the Apostolic Palace and the papal apartments at the Vatican on June 6, 2018. The Bronze Door is a storied portal that for centuries has informed the faithful of the death of a pope.Tradition is that officials over the centuries have closed the massive door under a portico off St. Peter's Square when a pope dies and have kept it shut until a new pontiff is elected. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards on the staircase Pius IX going to the Cortile di San Damaso at the apostolic palace, Vatican on February 9, 2018. The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards stand watch at the bronze door (Portone di Bronzo) main entrance to the Apostolic Palace and the papal apartments at the Vatican on November 26, 2018. The Bronze Door is a storied portal that for centuries has informed the faithful of the death of a pope.Tradition is that officials over the centuries have closed the massive door under a portico off St. Peter's Square when a pope dies and have kept it shut until a new pontiff is elected. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Vatican 2018. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards on the staircase Pius IX going to the Cortile di San Damaso at the apostolic palace, Vatican on June 30, 2018. The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

New recruit of the Swiss Guards before the swearing-in ceremony on May 6, 2015 at the Vatican. The ceremony is held each May 6 to commemorate the 147 Swiss Guards who died protecting Pope Clement VII during the 1527 Sack of Rome. The pompous title 'defenders of the freedom of the Church' qualifies the Swiss Guards, of which there are one hundred. These soldiers are not nearly as picturesque as their uniforms, which are said to have been designed by either Raphael or Michaelangelo, but whose design was actually produced at the turn of the last century. It is not a simple procedure to become a member of the Guard, which is one of the world's oldest military factions. One must have Swiss nationality, be of the Catholic faith, measure over 1.74 meters in height, and be less than 25 years of age when signing on for the first time. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards in the courtyard of San Damaso on June 22, 2017. The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss Guards in the Second Loggia of Raphael at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on June 13, 2014. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guard in the Second Loggia of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on December 22, 2011.The loggia, or colonnaded porch, on the second story of the Apostolic Palace is one of the Vatican’s most remarkable art treasures; its decoration was designed by Raphael and executed by his workshop in 1517-19. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss Guard in the Second Loggia of Raphael at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on June 13, 2014. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss Guard in the first Loggia of Raphael at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on February 22, 2014. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

A Swiss Guard near 'The Vision of Constantine' an equestrian sculpture by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini located in the Scala Regia by St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on December 12, 2007. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

The Vatican's Swiss Guards swore in 32 new recruits on May 6, 2009. The new recruits joined their ranks in an elaborate swearing-in ceremony in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. The ceremony is held each May 6 to commemorate the 147 Swiss Guards who died protecting Pope Clement VII during the 1527 Sack of Rome. Then each new recruit grasped the corps' flag and, raising three fingers in a symbol of the Holy Trinity, swore to uphold the Swiss Guard oath to protect Benedict XVI and his successors. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss Guards in the Second Loggia of Raphael at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on December 21, 2007. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards in the Clementine hall at the second floor of the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on November 28, 2002. - The Clementine Hall was established in the 16th century by Pope Clement VIII in honor of Pope Clement I, the third successor of St. Peter. The Clementine Hall is covered in Renaissance frescoes and valuable works of art. It is used by the pope as a reception room and in some cases, site of various ceremonies and rituals. The Clementine Hall is the chamber in which the body of the pope lies for private visitation by officials of the Vatican upon death. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guard in the 'Scala Regia' (Royal Staircase) at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on February 18, 2012. It is part of the formal entrance to the Vatican. It was built by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger in the early 16th century, to connect the Apostolic Palace to St. Peter's Basilica, and restored by Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1663 to 1666. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss Guards and bishops in the Second Loggia of Raphael at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on December 21, 2007. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Geographical map in the third Loggia of Raphael (also called Loggia della Cosmografia - Cosmographic Loggia) in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on March 2007. The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace is a secretive place, forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration, the Church's spiritual authorities and before all, the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards in the Sistine chapel at the Vatican on January 22, 2006. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Francis Leads Jubilee Mass for Armed Forces And Police - Vatican

Swiss guards attend the Jubilee Mass for Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel led by Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s square at the Vatican on February 9, 2025. Photo: Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Francis Delivers The Urbi et Orbi Message - Vatican

Swiss guards arrive before Pope Francis delivers his Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing message (to the city and to the world) from the central balcony of St Peter s Basilica at the Vatican on December 25, 2024. Photo by Eric Vandeville /ABACAPRESS.COM