Forty new Swiss Guards were sworn in at the Vatican on Saturday, the latest halberd-clutching soldiers of the pope to serve a tradition stretching back 500 years. A tourist magnet for centuries at the ...

When they sign up, the guards must be practising Roman Catholics, Swiss citizens, aged between 19 and 30, measure at least 1.47 metres tall and be single - Copyright ...

The Swiss Guard is a military body tasked with protecting the pope. 135 men make up the Swiss Guard. Swiss Guard recruits must be a single man between the age of 19-30 who is a practicing Catholic and ...

VATICAN CITY, — They’re some of the most recognizable figures in Vatican City, dressed in bright stripes and carrying ancient weapons. But behind the pageantry, the Swiss Guard is a modern security ...

Halberds in hand, their armour polished and multicoloured pantaloons perfectly pressed, 36 new recruits to the Swiss Guards were sworn in on Friday with a vow to protect the pope. Pope Francis had ...