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Pope Leo XIV Leads Mass For The Jubilee Of The Poor - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass to mark the Jubilee of the Poor, in Saint Peter’s basilica, Vatican on November 16, 2025. He urged leaders of nations to listen to the cry of the poorest. Left: Christof Graf, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Right: Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti, Commander of the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City. 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 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 at church of Saint Anne - Vatican

Swiss Guard standing outside the parish church of Saint Anne in theVatican, Italy on September 21 2025. Photograph by Alessia Giuliani/Catholic Press Photo/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV at church of Saint Anne - Vatican

Swiss Guard standing outside the parish church of Saint Anne in theVatican, Italy on September 21 2025. Photograph by Alessia Giuliani/Catholic Press Photo/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV at church of Saint Anne - Vatican

Swiss Guard standing outside the parish church of Saint Anne in theVatican, Italy on September 21 2025. Photograph by Alessia Giuliani/Catholic Press Photo/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV at church of Saint Anne - Vatican

Swiss Guard standing outside the parish church of Saint Anne in theVatican, Italy on September 21 2025. Photograph by Alessia Giuliani/Catholic Press Photo/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV at church of Saint Anne - Vatican

Swiss Guard standing outside the parish church of Saint Anne in theVatican, Italy on September 21 2025. Photograph by Alessia Giuliani/Catholic Press Photo/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV at church of Saint Anne - Vatican

Swiss Guard standing outside the parish church of Saint Anne in theVatican, Italy on September 21 2025. Photograph by Alessia Giuliani/Catholic Press Photo/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Aerial Rome - Italy

ITALY - ROMA - VATICAN : AT THE ENTRANCE OF ST. PETER'S BASILICA (AND TO ALL ACCESS TO THE VATICAN), THE FAMOUS SWISS GUARDS WHO HAVE BEEN WATCHING OVER THE POPE SINCE THE 16TH CENTURY. STILL DRESSED IN THEIR COSTUME DESIGNED BY, IT IS SAID, MICHELANGELO (ACTUALLY BY THE COMMANDER OF THE GUARD JULES REPOND IN 1914, WHICH WAS INSPIRED BY THE FRESCOES RAPHAEL). THE UNIFORMS ARE TAILOR-MADE AND BLESSED BY THE POPE FOR EACH GUARD. WHEN ONE OF THEM FINISHES HIS SERVICE, HIS UNIFORM MUST BE DESTROYED IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY FRAUDULENT OR ABUSIVE USE. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only World/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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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

Swiss Guard in the Regia Hall in the Apostolic palace at the Vatican on January 24, 2020. The Regia hall was begun under Pope Paul III by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and was completed in 1573. The walls were decorated by Livio Agresti, Giorgio Vasari and Taddeo Zuccari. -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

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

The Vatican's Swiss Guards swore in 32 new recruits on May 6, 2015 at the Vatican. The new recruits joined their ranks in an elaborate swearing-in ceremony . 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 pope Francis and his successors. The Swiss Guard, founded in 1506, consists of 100 volunteers who must be Swiss nationals, Catholic, single, at least 174 cm (5 feet 8 inches) tall and beardless. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Swiss guards playing music at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on may 6,2009. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace ( palais apostolique ) 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

Pope Francis in the private library in the apostolic palace at the Vatican on May 25, 2018. It is the room where the pope attends the private audiences with Kings, Presidents, chiefs of Government, cardinals ... -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace ( palais apostolique ) 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 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

Cardinals in the Clementine hall at the second floor of the Apostolic Palace, Vatican. - 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 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

'Sediari' in the Antechamber or Room of the Attendants at the second floor of the Apostolic Palace, Vatican on September 2013. -The Sediari were the men who had the honour of carrying the Pope's royal chair on his outings. Their duties include staffing the papal antechamber, where they receive heads of state and ambassadors and usher them into audiences with the pope. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace ( palais apostolique ) 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

Papal coat of arms on a lock in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on May 4, 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