Name: The Popes Bodyguards: Life in the Swiss Guard
Uploaded: 2025-11-22T14:53:32.909Z
Duration: 5 min 24 s
Description: A Swiss Guard would sacrifice his life for the Pope if duty calls. But what is his daily routine in the Vatican really like? An exclusive look behind the scenes.

A Swiss Guard would sacrifice his life for the Pope if duty calls. But what is his daily routine in the Vatican really like? An exclusive look behind the scenes.

Rome

The Swiss Guard, a centuries-old corps responsible for the Pope's protection, continues its tradition with strict requirements for new recruits. Dario, a 25-year-old from Switzerland, shares his journey from training to his official swearing-in, highlighting the honor and responsibility of serving in the Vatican.

Guards undergo rigorous preparation, don distinctive uniforms, and adapt to the Pope's dynamic schedule while remaining ready to defend him with their lives. The recent swearing-in ceremony, attended by the Pope for the first time in nearly 60 years, marked a significant milestone for Dario and his fellow guards.

The Pope's Bodyguards: Life in the Swiss Guard

My name is Dario, I'm 25 years old, and I come from the canton of Graubünden. And I'm here in the Swiss Guard, protecting a Pope with my life. We visit Dario and his new home. Vatican City is the world's smallest state, nestled among the streets of Rome. The Swiss Guard is posted at all entrances, recognizable by the colorful uniform. But they're not just for show. The Swiss Guard has protected the Vatican for more than 500 years. First enlisted in 1506 by Pope Julius II for their loyalty and strength. To this day, only men from Switzerland serve here. The barracks are home to 135 guards. They speak a mix of Swiss German, French, and Italian. It's my home. I'm in a room of four people, but this is my space, and everyone has kind of their own spaces. Dario has lived and served here for a few months, but is yet to be sworn in. He shows us how he puts on his made-to-measure uniform, designed in the early 20th century. I'm gonna put on my uniform. So now I'm putting on my jacket. There's a lot of buttons on it, but they're just for show. I do have a zipper, and that's it. Now I still have to put on my belt, and with the belt, my sword. Those pieces have to be shiny, so I'm gonna give this a very quick polish. All right, putting on the hat. That's the complete outfit. Dario is following in the footsteps of his father, who was sworn in as a Swiss guard in 1989. It's a great honor to serve here. I search for the opportunity to do something with meaning, and here I'm really serving the Pope, the Pope, head of the Catholic Church. I'm part of a centuries-old tradition, so after I finished my bachelor's, I decided to join the Swiss Guard. To do so, you must be male, unmarried, Catholic, between 19 and 30, and Swiss. The obligatory military service in Switzerland is followed by training at the Guard School. Recruits commit to a minimum of 26 months of service in the Vatican. Dario is ready to give everything for the Vatican and Pope Leo XIV, even his life. If he's getting attacked, I am standing in the way. That's what we do. It's a great honor serving the Pope, and if it means giving my life, and I die young, at least I died for a good cause. I mean, I don't want to die, but if it comes to it, I'm ready. For now, no one's gotten close to the Pope. We're doing our job. The guards wear various uniforms based on their assignment. Here, the simple blue version is used. It attracts slightly less attention. Dario's suit also serves a similar purpose. The suit, do we wear to be dynamic? It's better to have a suit to be a little more discreet, to be able to move around freely. Visitors are observed and, in some cases, checked, and the guards are armed in case of an emergency. We are armed, even with swords. We haven't yet used the swords in action. No, they are more for representation. I mean, if it would be feasible to use a sword, and it was justified, then maybe, but we are trained in other weapons than swords. They are familiar with ancient weapons, such as lances and halberds, but also with modern weapons. But Dario is not allowed to show them to us. Dario also looks after guests, guides tours and helps at mass. Experienced guards travel with the new Pope. Since he's taken office, there have been more appointments. Our service has become way more dynamic because the Pope has become more dynamic, more flexible. He's quicker. We adapt always to the Pope. The Pope is giving the pace and we're keeping up. Dario continues his service and prepares for his final swearing-in ceremony, originally scheduled for May, but then Pope Francis passed away. But now the big day has finally come. The guards are getting ready. For the first time in almost 60 years, the Pope is attending in person. The pressure is palpable. Uniforms, procedures, every detail must be perfect. Family and friends have traveled here to share this moment with Dario. For me, it's a great honor because we are swearing to protect him with our life. And him being there, witnessing all that, shows also great respect from his part. But Dario doesn't see any of this. During the ceremony, he moves as if on autopilot, drumming, vowing, marching off. Dario is now officially part of the Swiss Guard, serving the Pope. The Vatican will be his home for the coming months, perhaps even longer. Being a Swiss Guard, the whole experience is iconic from beginning to the end. It's all one unique experience.

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