Pontifical Swiss Guard Course

Pontifical Swiss Guard Course The Pontifical Swiss Guard is an armed body to protect the Pontiff and his residence, created on January 22, 1506. It is the only Swiss Guard corps still operating and is the oldest standing corps in the world to be still in service for over five centuries without interruption. He serves at the Vatican City, but also during the Pope's travels together with security agents. The typical colored uniform of Renaissance style for solemn ceremonies is accompanied by more sober clothing at an operational level. The modern Guard has the role of personal defense of the pontiff. The Pontifical Swiss Guard is formally equipped with traditional weapons such as halberds, but also has modern portable firearms for all guards. Since the assassination attempt of John Paul II in 1981, the Swiss Guard has been oriented from the traditional role very much conditioned by the ceremonial to a more active role in the defense of the person of the pope. The recruits of this corps must necessarily be Swiss citizens from birth, Catholics, males between the ages of 19 and 30 and must have undergone a period of training in the Swiss army. The Pontifical Swiss Guard deals with the vigilance, security and protection of the Pope inside the Apostolic Palace and the Vatican City and during his travels, as well as with the services of honor during audiences and receptions. The Swiss Guard protects, jointly with the Gendarmerie Corps of the Vatican City State, the ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica and in the Paul VI hall; it also deals with access control in the Vatican and, during the vacant see, with the protection of the college of cardinals. The official ""gala"" uniform of the Swiss Guards is blue, red and dark yellow, with distinct Renaissance features. Instead of this the sergeants wear uniforms of black and red color, instead the officers wear red uniforms of a slightly different style. The Swiss Guards instead the officers wear red uniforms of a slightly different style. The Swiss Guards instead the officers wear red uniforms of a slightly different style. The Swiss Guards