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The Pontifical Swiss Guard, [note 1] also known as the Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard, [4] is an armed force and honour guard unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace within the territory of the Vatican City State.
At various points in its history the Swiss Guard has seen active service, but following the 1870 abolition of the Papal States it returned to its chief role as a bodyguard, with a limited ceremonial role, and survived into the period of the Vatican City State, as a de facto Vatican military unit from 1929.
Foreign military service was outlawed by the first Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848 and a federal Law of 1859, with the only exception being the Pontifical Swiss Guard (Latin: Pontificia Cohors Helvetica, Cohors Pedestris Helvetiorum a Sacra Custodia Pontificis; Italian: Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) stationed in Vatican City. The modern Papal ...
The mother of a Swiss Guard member accused of committing one of the most sensational crimes in recent Vatican history – fatally shooting his commander and the senior officer's wife before ...
Alois Estermann (29 October 1954 – 4 May 1998) was the 31st Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.Estermann and his wife were murdered in his apartment in Vatican City on 4 May 1998, the same day he was confirmed in his position after serving as acting commander for over a year.
Security in Vatican City is also provided by the Pontifical Swiss Guard, a military unit of the Holy See, not Vatican City State. The Swiss Guard are responsible for the security of the Pope, dignitaries and all papal buildings. The Swiss Guard have maintained a centuries-long tradition of carrying swords and spears, unlike the Gendarmerie Corps.
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 30 January 2025. Enclaved Holy See's independent city-state This article is about the city-state in Europe. For the city-state's government, see Holy See. Vatican City State Stato della Città del Vaticano (Italian) Status Civitatis Vaticanae (Latin) Flag Coat of arms Anthem: Inno e Marcia Pontificale ...
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