Swiss Guards : Pope's Army

The Swiss guards also known as Pontifical Swiss Guards are famous in the history. They can be seen in Vatican city mainly in modern times. They are Pope's personal bodyguards and work for safety of the Pope and the city. They are doing this job for last 500 years and doing it efficiently.

Swiss Guards

Origin : The Swiss Guards were mercenaries and fought many wars in fifteenth century for European powers. During that time they first came to the service of Pope Julius II in 1505. The Pope Julius II asked the Swiss Confederacy to provide him 200 Swiss guards for his stand up force. Which they had provided. The German merchants from Augsburg, Bavaria and few others financed the process. The first contingent of 150 soldiers reached Rome in 1506. Their use in war without Pope's permission is prohibited though with Pope's permission they were used in some battles (Battle of Lepanto in 1571, twelve Swiss Guards of Pope Pius V served under Admiral Marcantonio Colonna against the Ottoman Empire).

Pope Francis with his guards

Structure : The Swiss guards are very small in numbers but they maintain their own chain of commands. The non commissioned officers in the army are Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant and Sergeant Major. The commissioned officers are Captains, Major, Vice commandant and Commandant. The smallest rank is Guardsmen (Basically the foot soldiers). The uniforms are little different from one another.

Uniform

Uniforms : The uniform of the Swiss guards are really unique. No modern army use those uniforms these days. In modern era those uniforms are mainly ceremonial. They use tri-colored stripped uniform with different Helmets or Berets. The officers uniforms are slightly different according to their ranks. Yellow, blue and red colors mainly used for the uniform. These guards are also famous for these colorful uniforms. Though in modern days they wear modern cloth when they accompany Pope to his tours.

Weapons : Historically the main weapon of these guards are halberds. This long polearm became their trademark weapon along with steel breastplate and metal Morion helmet with feathers they were. Though in modern times they use small firearms like SIG P220 pistol and SIG SG 550 rifles when they function as bodyguard. They use many other small firearms and rifles in modern times for this role.

Halberd bearer

Famous Last Stand : The Swiss Guards are famous in history for their heroic last stand against the mercenaries of Holy Roman Empire to cover the escape of Pope Clement VII in 1527. The pope was opposing the Holy Roman Empire during that time. So, the mercenaries of Holy Roman Empire under Duc De Bourbon attacked Rome for potential loot. They ransacked the city and tried to capture Pope himself but the Swiss Guards under Commander Kasper Roist made their last stand in the Teutonic Cemetery within the Vatican to cover the escape of the Pope. They fought valiantly against the overwhelming number of enemy forces. 147 of 189 guards with Commander Roist was killed in this battle. The remaining guards accompanied Pope to safety.

Conclusion : In modern days these guards still doing their duties as the bodyguards of Pope. Though their traditional uniforms and weapons are mostly ceremonial in these days. They evolved themselves as modern army unit for the function of bodyguards. They are unique because of their long 500 years old tradition. No modern army is older than Swiss Guards.