Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado
You can recognize them by their distinct uniform: the Swiss Guard—the pope’s personal protection force who guard his apartments and the Vatican, and accompany him on apostolic journeys.
The oath they swear is precisely to the pope, making him their direct superior. Pope Leo in particular seems to enjoy their swearing-in ceremony, which begins like this…
Last year, Pope Leo XIV became the first pope to preside over the ceremony since 1968. And in 2026, he has done so again. This year, 28 new recruits have joined the smallest army in the world.
With their left hand on the flag and three fingers from their right hand raised—symbolizing the Holy Trinity—each one in turn swears to serve Leo XIV and his successors with loyalty, even pledging that, if necessary, they will die defending him.
At the end of this year's ceremony, the pope addressed them with these words…
POPE LEO XIV
To you, dear young people who have taken the oath, I express my esteem and gratitude. The gesture you have made bears witness to a commitment of fidelity, inspired by youthful enthusiasm and grounded in faith in God and love for the Church.
Every May 6, they celebrate this event in grand fashion with various events. It is the day that commemorates the Sack of Rome, when this army—the smallest in the world—protected Pope Clement VII from the German troops of Charles V. Next year will mark the 500th anniversary of this epic historical event.
