Put the bright stripes away, Pope’s Swiss Guards get new garb

Captain Lorenz Keusch poses with the updated ceremonial uniform of the Pontifical Swiss Guard in The Vatican on October 2. Photo / Tiziana Fabi, AFP

The Swiss Guards, the defenders of the Pope known for their colourful uniforms, unveiled more sombre attire today – but only for special occasions.

The dark uniform with gold buttons and star-studded epaulettes is an update of its 19th-century uniform, and debuted before the swearing-in ceremony for a new class of recruits.

With a red and gold stand-up collar and a yellow and white belt, the wool “semi-gala” uniform is worlds apart from the Swiss Guards’ eye-popping blue, yellow, and red striped outfit.

It had not been worn since 1976, when it was gradually phased out for practical reasons, before being revived in recent years.

“The final version worn today is the result of research and studies into the half-gala uniform, also known as the antechamber uniform, already worn by numerous officers in past centuries,” said Colonel Christoph Graf, head of the Swiss Guard, during a presentation to journalists.

The uniforms, which cost about €2000 each ($4028), were made by a workshop in Switzerland and financed by private funds.

However, not all of the 135 men who make up the current ranks of the world’s smallest army will have the privilege of wearing the uniform as it will be reserved for senior officers at gala dinners and other formal events outside the Vatican.

Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the Swiss Guard is responsible for protecting the Pontiff in the Vatican and during his travels, with sentries stationed at the entrances to the Apostolic Palace and during audiences in St Peter’s Square.

On Saturday, it will celebrate the addition of 27 new guards ranging in age from 19 to 30, with an average age of 23.

These Swiss citizens, who must be single and Catholic and over 1.74m tall (5 feet 7 inches), have undergone a series of psychological tests and interviews to ensure they can provide security for the Pope for at least 26 months.

Honour, sacrifice

The swearing-in ceremony for new recruits is usually held in May but was postponed this year due to the death of Pope Francis and the subsequent conclave.

“It is an honour to sacrifice oneself for the defence of the Holy Father ... As a Swiss Catholic, it’s an opportunity we have, and I think we should seize it,” one of the new guards, Nathan, told AFP.

He will take the oath this weekend in front of some 4000 people in the San Damaso courtyard of the Apostolic Palace.

The guards’ surnames are not disclosed for confidentiality and security reasons.

Nathan, 22, from Switzerland’s southern Valais area, has been in service since January and called it an “exceptional” first few months, marked by the special Jubilee year and the election of Leo XIV in May.

Although the sacrifices were many – “we’re not at home, we don’t have our natural environment, our mountains, our friends, our parents” – he said he found in the guard “a family, from day one” with “a deep spirit of camaraderie”.

The guards work six to 12 hours a day for a salary of €1500 a month.

The guards are trained in self-defence, shooting, first aid, and police tactics, but “the main tool remains the spoken word”, said Corporal Eliah Cinotti.

The transition with Leo XIV has been “very easy” – even though the Pope’s security team has noticed an increasing number of stuffed animals being thrown at him during public events.

“He knows what we do and trusts us because he already knew us before” when he was a cardinal, Cinotti said.

-Agence France-Presse