The 27 new halberdiers of the Pontifical Swiss Guard exclaimed their oath before Pope Leo XIV during the swearing-in ceremony on October 4, 2024. In the splendor of the Courtyard of Saint Damasus, in the heart of the Vatican, the Pontiff attended the event and warmly thanked the young soldiers for their "very important witness."
[At the end of this article, there is a photo gallery.]
The day will surely be engraved in the memories of the 27 young Swiss men, aged 19 to 30, who officially joined the oldest army still in active service, founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II.
For the first time since Paul VI in 1968, the Pope attended the swearing-in ceremony of his small army, composed of 135 members and entirely dedicated to the security of the head of the Catholic Church. For the last few decades, a senior official from the Vatican Secretariat of State, in recent years the substitute, has represented the pope at the ceremony.
Leo gave a brief speech, greeting the guards and their guests in Italian, French, and German — three of Switzerland's four official languages, along with Romansh.
With God and the saints to assist me!
Under a beautiful late afternoon sky, the colors of the 26 cantons of the Swiss Confederation were displayed in the windows of the Apostolic Palace when Pope Leo XIV made his entrance. To the applause of the audience, he took his seat in the center of a group of officials and cardinals to watch the ceremony as a spectator – as he had done as a cardinal.
Moments later, a trio of trumpets from the guard sounded the start of the festivities. The soldiers then entered the courtyard to the martial sound of drum rolls and orders shouted in German, displaying their full dress uniforms — sparkling breastplates and plumed helmets. In formation, they faced the pontiff and listened to the reading of the oath, in which they swear to defend him to the utmost sacrifice if necessary.
Called one by one by name, the 27 young guards then advanced with confident step to the middle of the square, placed their left hand on the flag, and raised the traditional three fingers of the Swiss oath to the sky. And each one, in his own language, exclaimed: "I, halberdier [name of the guard], swear to observe loyally and in good faith all that has just been read to me, as true as God and our patron saints assist me!"
A ceremony postponed for several months
After this emotional moment, the Swiss Guard orchestra performed several traditional and modern pieces under the smiling gaze of Pope Leo. The latter then briefly took the floor to thank the authorities present, notably the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, the command of the Swiss Guard, and the families of the new guards.
Turning to the new soldiers, the Pope expressed his gratitude, emphasizing their "very important witness" in today's world, especially for young people. In particular, he extolled the importance of discipline, sacrifice, service, and the value of life. He then waited for the guards' triumphant exit before himself departing by car.
This swearing-in ceremony — the first of Leo XIV's pontificate — was not held as it traditionally is on May 6, the anniversary of the sacrifice of 147 of their glorious predecessors, who died in 1527 defending Pope Clement VII against the armies of Charles V.
The death of Pope Francis on April 21, followed by the conclave and the election of his successor, led to the ceremony being postponed until the fall. This was also the case in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here is an unofficial translation of the Pope's brief words:
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Before concluding this beautiful ceremony, I would like to say a word of gratitude first of all to God for the gift of life and faith.
I would like to greet all those present, the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, the President of the Swiss Confederation, the families of the Swiss Guards who today have taken this oath in a very special way.
To all of you who have taken this oath: it is a very important witness in today's world. It makes us understand the importance of discipline, of sacrifice, of living the faith in a way that truly speaks to all young people about the value of giving one's life, of serving, and thinking of others. I thank you on behalf of myself and the entire Holy See for your service.
May God bless you. May He bless your families and accompany you always. Thank you!
