1srelluc
Diamond Member
I always wondered about that.....They still have to be Swiss Catholics.
The Swiss Guard has its origins way back in the early sixteenth century. It is important to remember that five or six hundred years ago, the territories ruled directly by the Popes extended well beyond the small area around St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Swiss Guard proper came into being in 1506 when Pope Julius II hired a contingent of 150 Swiss Mercenaries to guard St Peter’s Basilica and the city of Rome.
The requirement for entry to training to become part of the Guard is that individuals must be Swiss Catholics aged between 18 and 30.
The Swiss Guard: Why Does The Vatican Use Foreign Soldiers?
The Swiss Guards have been a feature of the Papal microstate throughout modern history, but where did this tradition originate?
www.historydefined.net
The Swiss Guard has its origins way back in the early sixteenth century. It is important to remember that five or six hundred years ago, the territories ruled directly by the Popes extended well beyond the small area around St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Swiss Guard proper came into being in 1506 when Pope Julius II hired a contingent of 150 Swiss Mercenaries to guard St Peter’s Basilica and the city of Rome.
The requirement for entry to training to become part of the Guard is that individuals must be Swiss Catholics aged between 18 and 30.
