Who makes the cut? – Desert News

Thirty-four new recruits were sworn in at the Vatican on Monday as members of the Swiss Guard, becoming part of the smallest army in the world, according to ABC News.

The men pledged to protect Pope Francis and future popes with their lives, and they also demonstrated their ability to march and stand at attention.

They wore their “ceremonial red, yellow and blue Renaissance-style uniforms equipped with 33-pound helmet and armor” during Monday’s event, ABC News reported, noting that there are now a total of 135 guards.

What is the Swiss Guard?

The Swiss Guard has been around since 1506, when Pope Julius II embraced the idea of ​​a special protection force.

Then, as now, members of the unique army worked to protect “the Pope and his residence,” according to the Swiss Guard website.

But what those protective services look like has changed considerably over time.

In the past, members of the Swiss Guard sometimes had to fend off violent attacks on the Vatican.

Nowadays they mainly meet tourists, although some visitors make uncomfortable demands.

“This role requires an instinct to distinguish real threats from encounters with people who need just a word of comfort – many come to the Vatican gates looking for work, others insist on meeting the Pope. Still more people believe they are Saint Peter or Jesus Christ in person and demand to be listened to. A few attempt suicide,” Religion News Service reported.

When Pope Francis enters St. Peter’s Square, as during his general audience on Wednesday morning, members of the Swiss Guard act like members of the U.S. Secret Service and keep a close eye on the crowd.

“The guards, in plain clothes and armed with guns and tasers, are never far away,” according to Religion News Service.

Requirements of the Swiss Guard

If these tasks sound like fun to you, you may be disappointed to hear that very few people meet the requirements to become a Swiss Guard recruit.

Still up for the challenge? Here are some criteria recruits must meet, according to ABC News and Religion News Service.

1. Are you male? If so, continue.
2. Are you single? Guards are not allowed to get married until they have served five years.
3. Are you between 19 and 30 years old? The recruits are all quite young.
4. Are you at least 6 feet tall? Congratulations, you can continue.
5. Are you Catholic? It is safe to assume that Catholics are most committed to protecting the Pope.
6. Are you physically able to stand for six, twelve or even sixteen hours at a time? Please continue.
7. Can you carry approximately 33 pounds of equipment during that job? Those nice helmets are quite heavy.
8. Are you willing to commit at least two years to service? Recruits are asked to sign up for two years, although many eventually leave after six months for other security jobs, according to Religion News Service.
9. Are you from Switzerland? Oh, did I forget to mention that all recruits must actually be Swiss?
10. Have you completed your mandatory military service? Young men can only become part of the Swiss Guard if they have already served the country of Switzerland.

It’s safe to say no American reader would make it.

Ceremony of the Swiss Guard

The swearing-in of the Swiss Guard took place on Monday because May 6 is an important date for the service.

May 6, 1527 was the day 147 guardsmen lost their lives protecting Pope Clement VII from “German mercenaries hired by Charles V, the Habsburg monarch of Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor,” according to Religion News Service.

Fewer than fifty guards survived, but they were able to keep the Pope safe.

“The swearing-in ceremony, which takes place every May 6, commemorates that sacrifice of the Swiss Guard,” Religion News Service reported.