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Swiss Guards
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Pontifical Swiss Guards in traditional striped uniforms and plumed helmets stand in formation in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, during the 2005 papal election. Map of Vatican City highlighting major streets, gardens, and landmarks, including St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square with its central obelisk, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens, Vatican Apostolic Library, Government Palace, and surrounding walls. The map also shows adjacent roads in Rome and includes a small inset locating Vatican City within Italy. Colonel Jules Repond, Commander of the Papal Swiss Guard, stands in ornate armor with a feathered helmet and ruffled collar in front of large wooden doors. Infographic featuring a central illustration of a pope, surrounded by labeled facts such as the total number of popes, most common papal names, oldest and youngest elected, longest and shortest reigns, number of popes made saints, official titles, and origins by country.
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Swiss Guards: References & Edit History

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: Official Site of the Swiss Guard. Mar 09, 2026
Add new Web site: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Mightier than the sword: Words are a Swiss Guard's best weapon. Jan 30, 2026
Add new Web site: The Holy See - Pontifical Swiss Guard. Oct 06, 2025
Mentioned new uniforms and added media and top questions. Oct 03, 2025
Add new Web site: Official Site of the Swiss Guard. Jul 03, 2025
Media added. May 05, 2025
Changed “pikes” to “halberds.” Mentioned additional duties and requirements and noted the changes in number of guards. Jul 10, 2024
Replaced photograph. Dec 01, 2017
Add new Web site: CRW Flags - Flag of Swiss Guards. Feb 22, 2011
Add new Web site: Fact Monster - History - Swiss Guards. Feb 22, 2011
Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - Swiss Guards. Feb 22, 2011
Add new Web site: GlobalSecurity.org - Swiss Guard. Feb 22, 2011
New media added. Feb 05, 2009
Media added. Jun 15, 2006
Article revised. Jan 19, 2006
Article revised. Mar 25, 1999
New article added. Jan 22, 1999
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