The first hard hat prototypes, produced by a company in central Switzerland, were handed over to the commander of the guard on Friday, the Vatican NewsExternal link reported.
However, the new helmets won’t be donned at the annual swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday since more formal headgear is used for the occasion.
The unit also plans to boost its numbers to 135 men from currently 110 members.
A Swiss guard spokesman said the new headgear will replace the metal helmets by next year if enough sponsors can be found in time.
The plastic tops are produced by a Swiss company for around €880 ($957) a piece, half the cost of the old ones.
It is hoped that the black plastic tops will give the pope’s army cooler and more comfortable headgear when standing guard for hours at a time.
Thirty-two new recruits – all of them single Swiss men under age 30 and practising Catholics – will join the small corps on May 6 for a minimum two years by pledging to protect the pope and his successors.
Established in at the beginning of the 16th century, the pontifical guard serves both as a ceremonial unit and a body guard.
They made the international news headlines 20 years ago when the newly-named commander of the guard and two other people were found dead.
Working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being, says Swiss study
This content was published on
A study by the University of Bern shows that working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being and particularly affects women.
Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims
This content was published on
JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.
Famine confirmed in Gaza for first time, says UN-backed report
This content was published on
Famine has been declared in a northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system.
Zurich Airport ground handling staff to strike on Friday
This content was published on
Ground handling staff at Zurich Airport have announced a strike for Friday afternoon. According to a union, 200 jobs are at risk.
This content was published on
Philippe Lazzarini will step down as head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) at the end of his term in March, he announced on Thursday.
Swiss government predicts CHF845 million budget deficit in 2026
This content was published on
The Federal Council published its 2026 budget proposal on Thursday: a projected deficit of CHF845 million francs ($1 billion).
This content was published on
The Gösgen nuclear power plant in northwestern Switzerland will be out of service for six months. It has not been connected to the grid since late May.
Swiss authorities and firms agree to cut sugar in cereals, yoghurts and drinks
This content was published on
Cereals, yoghurts and drinks in Switzerland will contain less sugar by 2028. The Swiss government and 21 companies renewed the so-called Milan Declaration in Bern on Thursday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
The Swiss soldiers guarding the pope
This content was published on
“To be a Swiss Guard is a vocation. You need faith and deep conviction to follow this extraordinary and noble commitment,” says Colonel Christoph Graf, commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which was formed in 1506 by Pope Julius II. This year, 23 new recruits will take the oath in the Vatican. May 6 commemorates…
This content was published on
A government delegation led by Home Affairs Minister Alain Berset will receive the pope and hold official talks with him, the government confirmed to the Swiss News Agency on Wednesday. The most recent papal visit to Switzerland was in 2004, when Pope John Paul II came to Bern a year before he died. Almost 70,000…
This content was published on
Lt. Col. Christoph Graf will now command the 500-year-old Papal Swiss Guard, replacing Col. Daniel Anrig, who had commanded the unit since 2008. Col. Graf, who comes from canton Lucerne, has been a member of the Swiss Guard since 1987. The formal transfer of power from Anrig to Graf took place a week ago. After…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.