Each 6th of May, the new recruits of the Swiss Guard take an oath to protect the Pope and his successors. This year, there are 36 of them.
On Friday afternoon, the ceremony will take place in the San Damaso Courtyard outside of the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The new recruits must commit to join the world's smallest army for at least 26 months.
May 6th is not a date chosen by chance. In 1527 during the sack of Rome, 147 Swiss soldiers gave their life defending the pope. Another 42 escaped through the so-called “Borgo Passageway,” a small wall that connects the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo.
At that time, the pope was Clement VII, who was forced to surrender to the German troops.
JRB
TR: JM
