Vatican's military buildup: 40 new Swiss Guards

Paul Heymont 5/11/172:00 PM

The Pope's protection, the famed Swiss Guards, added 40 new recruits last week, filling nearly a third of its total of 110 'soldiers.'

The Guards, whose role has been only ceremonial and touristic for the past 150 years, got their start as a real army back when the Popes ruled large areas of Italy as well as the Church. They are sworn to personal loyalty to the hope, and will defend him, if needed, with their ceremonial halberds, or with real weapons stored in a secret location.

Requirements for recruiting include being Swiss, between 19 and 30, and 1.74 meters tall. Among the new Guards, 23 are German-speaking, 13 French-speaking and 4 are from Italian-speaking areas of the country.

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