The Swiss Guards, the world's smallest army, have been protecting popes for 500 years.
Keystone / Massimo Sambucetti
Swiss Guards, the colourfully dressed corps that protects the Pope, are now required to be vaccinated against Covid-19, reports Le Matin Dimanche. Three of them resigned because they did not want to comply.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/jc
Русский
ru
Трое швейцарских гвардейцев уволились, не желая прививаться
A Swiss Guard spokesman confirmed this information to the newspaper and said that the departures were “voluntary”. He told the paper that three other unvaccinated recruits have now decided to get the jabs and been temporarily suspended until they are fully vaccinated.
This Covid requirement is stricter than for other religious and lay employees of the Vatican, the paper writes, but they are unlikely to be in such close contact with the Pope. Protecting the health of Pope Francis, who is 84 and likes to mingle with the faithful, has become a “headache” during the pandemic, it says, adding that he has breathing problems and finds wearing a mask difficult.
In autumn 2020, eleven Swiss Guards tested positive and were put into isolation.
Nearly all the 135 Swiss Guards are single men who live in a barracks just inside the Vatican gates. The commanders and married members live in separate apartments. All members are Swiss and Catholic.
More
More
Who are the Swiss Guards?
This content was published on
The men who protect the Pope aren’t just soldiers in an unusual uniform: they have a long history and have to meet strict requirements to do the job.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
This content was published on
At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. Almost 95% of all places were occupied, the highest number since 2014.
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
Swiss government announces new Vatican embassy
This content was published on
Ties with the Holy See, currently overseen by the Swiss embassy in Slovenia, are to be managed by a permanent presence in Rome.
Parmelin visits the Vatican for Swiss Guard swearing in
This content was published on
Switzerland’s President met Pope Francis in the Vatican on Thursday, in a visit that also included the swearing-in of 34 new Swiss Guards.
This content was published on
Eleven members of the Vatican Swiss Guards, the corps that has protected popes for 500 years, have now tested positive for Covid-19.
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.