Vatican is the nowadays the most peaceful city at
the world and it is difficult to imagine to it could be in belligerency to
anyone. However, It happened differently in the past. The neighbors whetted
their teeth on extensive and
rich estates of Church
State. From this reason
popes recruited hired
soldiers for protection of the
papal lands. When threat
passed, they solved armies and left beside them only small squads guarding
their personal safety. Swiss came true the best on this field, being famous
with bravery and devotion.
In 1480 Sykstus
II
signed the pact with governments of the Lucerne
and Zurich
cantons about regular volunteers'' recruitment. In 1506 Julius II have had
defined conditions, what have to fulfill recruits and elaborated the regulations
of service. He exactly set up the Papal
guard officially. It was not some
powerful formation, because it counted just only 200 soldiers. The Papal Guard
consist of 110 officers, non-commissioned officers, privates, 2 drummers and
chaplain, after it reorganization conducted by John Paul II. They all are
volunteers, which signed voluntary, at least 2 - year’s contracts. They are at
first the grateful objects to photographing for pilgrims and tourists visiting Vatican. Their
colorful uniforms, halberds and steel helmets strike visual sensation
especially that how tradition propagate, Michael Angel designed guardsmen’s
dresses.
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