Photo of two of the Pope's Swiss Guards in their traditional uniforms, engaging in crowd control and standing mere feet away from me. They were guarding the route by which Pope Francis would take in his Pope mobile around St. Peter's Square. Unbeknownst to me, I'd walked up to the square on World Youth Day, and the Pope was not only expected to tour the crowds but to also make a speech to the assembled faithful who numbered in the thousands and had come from everywhere to hear "Il Papa." The Swiss Guards first began to protect the pope around 1506 when Pope Julius II hired Swiss mercenaries, renowned for their fierce loyalty and combat skill, to protect the Vatican. They evolved into the Pope's personal, elite bodyguard for over 500 years, famous for their Renaissance uniforms, strict Swiss-Catholic requirements, and heroic sacrifice, especially during the 1527 Sack of Rome. Recruits to the guards must be Catholic, single males with Swiss citizenship who have completed high school at least, basic training with the Swiss Armed Forces, and of irreproachable reputation and health. Recruits must be between 19 and 30 years of age, at least 174 cm (5 ft 8.5 in) tall, and prepared to sign up for at least 26 months.
Vatican #fashion for the Pope's elite, deadly, all-Catholic Swiss Guards, complete with leather scabbards for their long swords (halberds). Story & #history in AltText. #AlphabetChallenge #WeekDForDramatic #Military #Renaissance #Clothing #Style #Harlequin #Vatican #MilitaryUniforms
