swiss guard

The Papal Swiss Guard(also known as the Papal Guards) is an elite military unit from Switzerland that have protected the Pope since 1506.

While the name "Swiss Guard" originally meant an elite bodyguard unit of Swiss soldiers that protected some European Monarchs in the past, today, the name now refers to the Papal Swiss Guard in Vatican City ever since Switzerland banned the practice of their citizens working in foreign armies since 1848 with the Vatican being an exception.

The Papal Swiss Guard are famous for their renaissance era uniforms and wielding halberds while on duty. As their name reveals, only Swiss, Catholic males who are single, around the ages 19 to 30 and served in the Swiss Armed Forces may join the Papal Swiss Guard.