New Swiss Guards swear solemn oath

May 07,2014: Thirty new Swiss Guards of the Vatican on Tuesday took their solemn oath of allegiance to the Pope in the San Damaso courtyard of the apostolic palace. The 30 new members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, join an elite force which has been protecting Pontiff’s and serving the Church since 1506. The elaborate swearing in ceremony took place in the presence of Vatican dignitaries, the new Swiss ambassador to the Holy See,Pierre Yves Fux and Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. In his address the Guard’s Commander, Colonel Daniel Anrig told the new recruits that they were swearing an oath” to serve the Supreme Pontiff faithfully, loyally and honourably and commit all their forces for him, even at the risk of one’s own life, if necessary. ”As part of the ceremony, each new member placed a hand on the flag of the Swiss Guard, and raised three fingers on their other hand, which symbolizes the Holy Trinity. The event, which takes place every year on May 6th, marks the most significant and blackest event in the history of the guard when in 1527, 147 members died protecting Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome.