The agreement covers the planning stage for the modernisation of three 19th-century buildings that house Swiss guard members and the administrative headquarters.
The renovation costs are estimated at CHF45 million ($46 million). The construction work is likely to begin in 2026.
The barracks, which date back to 1825, do not meet the current requirements of the troops, nor does it comply with today’s building regulations.
So far, CHF37.5 million have been pledged by public and private donors, including CHF5 million from the Swiss government.
The foundationExternal link said on Wednesday that it was confident that it could raise the rest of the money in the coming months.
However, there is also opposition in some of the 26 Swiss cantons about financial pledges.
The Vatican is due to pay around CHF5 million for the temporary accommodation of the guards.
Around 110 Swiss guards are stationed at the Vatican in Rome, but the number is set to increase to 135. The soldiers have acted as a security force and a guard unit to protect the Pope within the territory of the Vatican City since 1506.
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…
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
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
Renovating new Papal Swiss Guard barracks to cost CHF50 million
This content was published on
The foundation was established in canton Solothurn in 2016 to support the work of the Swiss Guard. Former Swiss central bank chairman Jean-Pierre Roth is in charge of the renovation project and heads the foundation, according to La Liberté. The Pope’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, gave the green light in June for the…
This content was published on
The world's oldest standing army, the Papal Guards, have presented a prototype of its new headgear: Plastic PVC helmets made with a 3D printer.
An uncertain future for Swiss soldiers guarding the Pope
This content was published on
Every May, a new batch of young Swiss Roman Catholic soldiers swears allegiance to the Pope. In recent years their numbers have been dwindling.
This content was published on
The one-day event in the Italian capital marked the end of celebrations for the 500th anniversary of what is popularly known as the oldest army in the world. “The Swiss Papal Guard is one of the rare institutions in Europe that has remained intact over the centuries,” commented Gerhard Schuwey, former director of the Swiss…
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.