- Jan 12, 2023
- 156
The Pontifical Swiss Guard is responsible for the Security of His Holiness the Pope as well as the Defense of Vatican City and the extra-juridical properties of the Holy See in Rome. The unit is comprised of 189 men, who are recruited from primarily Catholic Cantons in Switzerland. Each recruit must be between 18 and 30 years of age, single, and have completed their basic training with the Swiss Armed Forces, who can secure a certificate of good conduct. Though in practice men with some experience in the Armed Forces are chosen over raw recruits.
Hierarchy of the Swiss Guard:
Commandant of the Guard: Oberst Pius Segmüller
Vice-Commandant of the Guard: Oberstlieutnant Luis Bracher
Chaplain: (Holds the rank of Oberstlieutnant) Father Tomaso Fabrizi
Equipment:
Ceremonial Weapons:
Halberds
Partisan Polearms
Longswords
Flamberges
Rapiers
Modern Weapons:
Standard Issue sidearm: Sig Saur P220
Standard Issue Longarm: Sig SG 550 or 552
Plainclothes Bodyguard Sidearm: Glock 19
Plainclothes Bodyguard Longarm: Heckler & Koch MP7
Pepper Spray: Swiss Army RSG-2000
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