Pope Leo XIV Attends the Colorful Swiss Guard Swearing-in Ceremony for 28 New Recruits of the World's Oldest Military Corps
The vibrant colors of the flags of the four Swiss cantons dominate the side walls of the Paul VI Hall. This Wednesday, May 6th, is a special evening: 28 recruits of the Pontifical Swiss Guard are being sworn in. The festive atmosphere and decorations celebrate the anniversary of May 6, 1527, the day on which Spanish and German Landsknechts launched their attack on the city of Rome and Pope Clement VII was honorably defended by 189 Swiss Guards.
Over 500 years of loyalty
Leo XIV enters the Hall at 5:00 PM sharp, greets the commander of the world's oldest army, the chaplain, and the cardinals in the front row, and takes his place at the steps of the Hall. The guards' trumpets announce the start of the ceremony. The 28 new halberdiers slowly enter through the door at the back of the Hall and make their way toward the steps, marching solemnly to the rhythm of the drum roll. In memory of the Sack of Rome, the Papal Guard, established in 1506, is wearing the "Gran Gala" uniform this evening, which includes armor and is used only for the papal blessing "Urbi et Orbi" at Christmas and Easter. The spectacle of color, movement, energy, and elegance, expertly blended through years of training, is not one you witness every day, and the audience, which tonight fills the hall designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, wants to take home a souvenir: many smartphones, as the military group passes, raise their shoulders to take photos. As orders ring out in German, an orderly line forms again in the forecourt of the Hall, and the guards are inspected by the chaplain and Colonel Christoph Graf.
After greeting the civil and military authorities and the president of the Swiss Federation, Guy Parmelin, Leo XIV extends his thanks to the new recruits and the entire Swiss Guard Corps for their dedication to their work.
Dignitaries from Switzerland
The colonel greets the dignitaries present. A delegation from the Swiss Confederation, led by President Guy Parmelin, National Council President Pierre-André Page, and Council of States President Stefan Engler, is attending the ceremony. The Swiss Army is also represented by its Chief of Army, Corps Commander Benedikt Roos, while the Swiss Episcopal Conference is represented by its President, Bishop Charles Morerod, Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva, and Fribourg. The delegation from this year's guest canton, Thurgau, is led by the State Council and presided over by its President, Dominik Diezi.
Oath - “With the help of God and the Patron Saints”
The guards perform the Vatican City State anthem and the Swiss national anthem. Called one by one by the sergeant major, the recruits approach the Corps' flag. They hold it in their left hand. With the fingers of their right, they make the sign of three, symbolizing the Trinity and the ancient promise of mutual defense of the four cantons. They state their name as halberdiers and pronounce the words of the oath in French, German, Italian, and Romansh (spoken in the canton of Graubünden): "I swear to faithfully, loyally, and honorably observe everything that has been read to me at this moment. May God and our patron saints assist me!" At the end of the swearing-in ceremony, more quickly than their solemn entrance, the new Swiss Guards exit the Hall to the sound of the band and the applause of the audience.
GREETING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
AT THE END OF THE
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD
in the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, May 6, 2026
________________________
At the end of this beautiful and touching ceremony, I would like to extend my cordial greetings to all of you, starting with the President of the Swiss Federation and the other civil and military authorities.
With affection and gratitude I greet the families of the Swiss Guards, thank you for coming!
To you, dear young people who have taken the Oath, I express my esteem and gratitude. Your gesture demonstrates a commitment of fidelity, inspired by youthful enthusiasm and grounded in faith in God and love for the Church. I place it under the protection of the Virgin Mary, along with all the precious service of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
I wish everyone a good evening and happy holidays!
Once again Abend and once again Fest!
Have a good soirée and a good party! Merci!
GREETING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
AT THE END OF THE
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD
in the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, May 6, 2026
________________________
At the end of this beautiful and touching ceremony, I would like to extend my cordial greetings to all of you, starting with the President of the Swiss Federation and the other civil and military authorities.
With affection and gratitude I greet the families of the Swiss Guards, thank you for coming!
To you, dear young people who have taken the Oath, I express my esteem and gratitude. Your gesture demonstrates a commitment of fidelity, inspired by youthful enthusiasm and grounded in faith in God and love for the Church. I place it under the protection of the Virgin Mary, along with all the precious service of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
I wish everyone a good evening and happy holidays!
Once again Abend and once again Fest!
Have a good soirée and a good party! Merci!
Sources: https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2026-05/leone-xiv-al-giuramento-delle-guardie-svizzere.html
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/05/06/0372/00743.html
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