Sema Fonkem 05/09/2025

-The Swiss guards have been providing protection to the pope for over 500 years.
-The first group of 150 was hired by Pope Julius II and the Pontifical Swiss guards was established in the year 1506.
-It takes 39 hours to sew the uniform of one Swiss guard and 50 uniforms can be made a year by one tailor. 154 pins are used to hold one uniform before sewing.
-The Swiss guards work about 60 hours a week and earn 1500 Euros weekly.
-They work inside the Vatican together with the Italian police.
-The guards are allowed to visit Rome in the evenings.
-They are not allowed to get drunk or misbehave because they do represent the Pope and the Holy Catholic Church.
-The Swiss guards do not take the Vow of Chastity. They can get married after five years of service.
-Their training may take up to two months including close combat techniques with the Italian Police.
-They are allowed have girlfriends while in service.
-They usually carry handcuffs, teargas and semi-automatic pistols.
-They still use armored suits with helmets and carry swords. One suit can take up 100 to 400 hours to make.
-Their most busy day is when the Pope holds a mass at St. Peters Square during the celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
-The guards are responsible for organising the Pope’s travels including international trips.
– After two years, the guards are allowed to choose if they want to go back to Swiss or if they want to continue providing security for the Pope.

Other Vatican security details include high walls, surveillance cameras, the army and Italian police outside the Vatican borders.