Swiss Pope Guards are Swiss mercenary soldiers who serves for the security of the Pope since 1506.

In the middle age when Europe was in turmoil period the Swiss soldiers gain a reputation of brave fighters, loyals and discipline.

Various Lords have their own Swiss guard including various Kings of France. A monument in Lucerne celebrate the sacrifice of the Swiss for the French.

Today the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guards is the only left.

Swiss Guards still take care of the security of the Pope in everyday life and on his various travels around the world.

The famous red and yellow uniform is only used for official functions, a blue one is available for them for other task.

However a group of elite member serve with civilian clothes, to better defend the Pope.

To become a Swiss Guard you must be catholic, from a well respected family, a letter from the priest of the local community as a reference must be written. Salary is low. You must serve for a minimum of three years. Serving to the Pope is more a family matter, transmitted by grandfather to son and nephew etc....

Serving as a mercenary is forbidden to Swiss this days, the only expection is for the Swiss Guard. The time served in Rome is not taken in consideration in the calculation for serving in the Swiss army, which is 42 weeks, divided over the years. Most of Swiss guys serves from 20 years old to 38 in the Swiss army as it is built as militia army.

Over the years a few scandals have changed the image of the guards, moreover the tragedy of May 4th 1988 with the killing of two guards and the wife of one, send shock waves all over Switzerland. In pure Vatican style the true was cover up as quickly as possible. No one really knows what really happen that sad day.

No need to say that homosexuality men are not welcome in the Vatican.

In Naters a village next to Brig in Wallis, a museum to the Swiss Guard is open on saturdays afternoon in summer only.