Vatican: They swore 27 new Swiss guards against Pope Leo XIV

Today, the traditional juror ceremony of the new recruits of the Swiss Pontifical Guard was held in the Vatican, with the presence of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff to attend in 57 years, since Pope St. Paul VI did for last time in 1968.

Usually the ceremony is celebrated every May 6, commemorating the heroic sacrifice of 147 Swiss guards who gave their lives during the looting of Rome, on May 6, 1527 to protect Pope Clemente VII. This 2025, the act was exceptionally postponed by the death of Pope Francis, on April 21.

The oath was held today in the courtyard of San Dámaso of the Apostolic Palace – which is rarely accessible to the public -, before the Swiss Guard banner, promising the new recruits to protect the Pope reigning and his legitimate successors, even at the cost of his own life.

The guards used their iconic “great gala” uniform of red, orange and blue. A few days ago, it was presented A new gala uniform They will use in galas and other important dinners, especially outside the city of the Vatican.

This Friday, Pope Leo XIV received the 27 new Swiss guards who today provided an oath and thanked them for their delivery, their service commitment. “Everyone can be for others a model with their words and with their behavior, with your charity and your faith. You can be a message of unity for the entire Roman curia,” the Holy Father told you.

The Pope added that with the oath this Saturday, the recruits go to a new stage of their existence and encouraged them to live this mission with conviction, entering the school of a humble and obedient Christ.

None “look for martyrdom” but everyone is prepared

“Holy Father, it is for us a great honor and an immense joy to welcome the oath ceremony of the new Swiss guards,” said Cristoph Graff, commander of the body.

Graff thanked Leo XIV “for his trust and his presence so valuable and appreciated in this memorable occasion.” He also welcomed the crowd, among which were relatives and friends of the recruits, members of the Swiss Guardian and ancients, in addition to representatives of politics, religion and the military sphere of society.

Going to the recruits, the commander expressed them, in the name of all those present, their “greater respect” and recognition for their effort and preparation for this transcendental moment in their lives.

“Holy Father, with this oath each guard undertakes to serve him with all his might and, if circumstances require it, even to sacrifice his own life,” added Commander Graff.

“None of them seeks martyrdom, but each one solemnly promises to do everything necessary to be prepared at the time of need. They do it with full reflection, seriously and never with lightness,” he said.

To fulfill its work, Graff continued, each body cash must be sustained in the example and intercession of the three employers of the Pontifical Swiss Guard: San Martín de Tours, San Sebastián and San Nicolás de Flüe.

The chaplain of the Swiss Guard, P. Kolumban Reichlin, expressed his pride and thanks to each of the recruits for having responded to “this honorable service.”

Then, the new Swiss guards passed to the front and lent oath before the Pope and the flag of the body. At the end, the Guardian body musical band performed some musical pieces.

A word of gratitude of the Pope

Before concluding the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV took the floor spontaneously and assured that the oath of the new guards “is a very important testimony in today’s world” because making understand the importance “of discipline, of sacrifice, of living faith, in a way that really speaks to all young people of the value of giving their lives, serving and thinking about others.”

“I thank you in my name and the whole Holy See for your service. May God bless you, bless their families and always accompany them. Thank you,” said Pope León.