Beneath the modern vaulted ceiling of Paul VI Hall, sheltered from the Roman rain but still imbued with the solemnity of history, 28 new Swiss Guards took their oath on May 6, 2026, in the presence of Pope Leo XIV. The Pope, whose presence confirmed his special attachment to his personal guard, listened as the young recruits swore allegiance to him, continuing a centuries-old tradition.
[See a photo gallery at the end of the article.]
At last year's swearing-in, on October 4, 2025, Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff to attend the ceremony since Pope Paul VI in 1968. The ceremony happened in October last year because the traditional date of May 6 was just one day before the start of the conclave after the death of Pope Francis.
The date of May 6 is not chosen at random: It marks the anniversary of the sack of Rome by Charles V’s Landsknechts in 1527. At the time, 147 Swiss soldiers lost their lives defending Pope Clement VII.
For the Pope’s soldiers, this is an occasion to don their Grand Gala uniform. Apart from this ceremony, this famous colourful uniform topped with a cuirass is worn only for the Pope’s special blessings at Christmas and Easter. The Pontifical Swiss Guard currently numbers 134 men.
The swearing-in ceremony is truly something to behold and as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Cardinal Prevost attended the swearing-in ceremonies in 2023 and 2024.
As a sign of the trust he places in his army, he recently decided to appoint a former Swiss Guard, Anton Kappler, to serve as his butler.
Wishing to attend the event again this Wednesday, the Holy Father arrived to applause just before it began, then took his seat in the front row, in front of the several thousand Swiss nationals, cardinals, bishops, and Vatican staff present. The assembly also included around 10 US Marines.
The dark clouds gathering over Rome left the organizers with no choice this year: They were forced to hold the traditional swearing-in ceremony inside, instead of in the more formal setting of the famous Courtyard of St. Damasus, in the heart of the Vatican.
Leo XIV thanks the new guards
As a fine drizzle began to fall outside the hall, a trio of trumpets from the Guard signaled the start of the festivities. The soldiers then made their entrance, to the martial sound of drum rolls and orders shouted in German, displaying their gleaming uniforms to the crowd with their slow, measured steps. The colors of the 26 cantons of the Swiss Confederation adorned the walls. Lined up in formation, the recruits faced the pontiff and listened as the oath was read out, in which they swore to defend him even unto death if necessary.
Then, called out one by one by name, the 28 young guards stepped forward with their confident stride into the center of the space, placed their left hand on the flag, and at the same time raised the traditional three fingers of the Swiss oath. And each, in his own language, exclaimed: “I, [name of the guard], swear to observe loyally and in good faith all that has just been read to me, so as God and our patron saints assist me!”
After this solemn moment, the Pope spoke briefly to commend the organization of this “beautiful and moving ceremony” and to greet the guards’ families as well as the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, whom he had met privately that morning. “To you, dear young people who have taken the oath, I express my esteem and gratitude,” he told the 28 young recruits.
The Pope described the act of taking the oath as “a commitment to fidelity, inspired by the enthusiasm of youth and founded on faith in God and love for the Church.” He placed the new halberdiers under the protection of the Virgin Mary, emphasizing the “precious service” rendered by the Pontifical Swiss Guard before thanking them in Italian, German, and French. To conclude, the Swiss Guard band performed several traditional and modern pieces under the smiling gaze of the Pope.
