Pope Greets New Swiss Guards

(07 May 10 – RV) On Friday Pope Benedict XVI received the newly sworn-in Swiss Guardsmen along with their families.

The recruits took their oath in a ceremony Thursday.

The Holy Father wished the new guardsmen well in their service, saying their time with the corps will give them new insights into their Catholic faith and prepare them for future challenges.

In his speech, delivered in German, French and Italian, the languages of the Swiss Confederation, the Pope stressed the link between the guards and the Successor of Peter. “Your service”, he said, will inspire you to discover a pilgrim in search of God in the face of every woman and man you encounter”.

The Pope also stressed the great value of the service of the Swiss Guards for personal growth and faith: "Your service to the Petrine ministry will give you a more vivid sense of Catholicism, along with a deeper sense of human dignity ".

“Your duties, experienced with a professional conscience and sense of the supernatural, will also prepare for future personal and public commitments” “as true disciples of the Lord" .