Pontifical Swiss Guard

The Latest

The Swiss Guard honored the soldiers who died in the Sack of Rome during a ceremony in Roman Protomartyrs Square in the Vatican on May 5, 2023.

What does the Swiss Guard do while Pope Francis is in the hospital?

Mar 10, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

The mission of the Swiss Guard, the oldest military corps in the world, is to ensure the security of the... Read more

Pope Francis greets new Swiss Guards as they prepare to be sworn in on May 6, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope highlights Swiss Guard’s jubilee year service to pilgrims

Jan 18, 2025

By AC Wimmer

As millions of pilgrims are expected for the jubilee year in Rome, Pope Francis praised the patient service of the... Read more

A new Swiss Guard swears to protect the pope, even sacrificing his life if necessary, during a ceremony on May 6, 2023.

6 things to know about the Swiss Guard and its swearing-in ceremony

May 6, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

A group of new Swiss Guard recruits officially joined the ranks after swearing to “faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the... Read more

Pope Francis with new Swiss Guard recruits in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall on May 6, 2022.

Pope Francis encourages new Swiss Guard recruits ‘to grow as Christians’

May 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Thirty-six new recruits will be sworn in today. Read more

Members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard at the Vatican.

3 Swiss Guards resign over Vatican vaccine mandate

Oct 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

All 135 guards were required to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Read more

The Swiss Guard swearing in ceremony at the Vatican on May 6, 2019.

Will the Swiss Guard allow women soldiers in the future?

Sep 16, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Only men are currently eligible for the world’s smallest army. Read more

Fr. Kolumban Reichlin, O.S.B., the new chaplain of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.

Pope Francis appoints Benedictine priest as Swiss Guard chaplain

Sep 1, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Fr. Kolumban Reichlin studied at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. Read more

Latest news

Thousands of faithful, including many religious sisters, gather in St. Peter's Square on Tuesday evening, April 22, 2025, to pray the Rosary for the repose of Pope Francis's soul.

LIVE UPDATES: Thousands pray the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square

Cardinals, bishops, and priests carrying palm branches gather for the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, April 13, 2025.

General congregation begins: Cardinals suspend beatifications, swear to secrecy

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During oral arguments, Supreme Court seems to support parental opt-outs for LGBT coursework

A panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square filled with faithful attending Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican on April 20, 2025.

CNA explains: What happens during the Vatican’s 9 days of mourning for the pope? 

Pope Francis reiterated his call for peace for Gaza and the Holy Land in his April 20, 2025, urbi et orbi message.

Two days before his death, Pope Francis made final call to pastor of Gaza parish

Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025.

The last time the world saw Pope Francis

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Philippines.

Filipino cardinals preside over requiem Masses for Pope Francis before heading to Rome

A memorial for Pope Francis is set up at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral of the Coptic Catholics in Qusiya, Egypt.

‘Brother in humanity’: Church leaders in Middle East pay tribute to Pope Francis

Pope Francis prays at the “Garden of Angels” section of the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, 2024.

‘Death is not the end of everything’: Vatican releases pope’s reflections on aging, dying

Pope Francis kisses a baby during his weekly general audience on May 10, 2023.

Pope Francis’ grandfatherly advice

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