The Swiss government has agreed funding to renovate the barracks of the Swiss Guard in the Vatican, which has been protecting the Pope since the sixteenth century.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo/jc
In a press releaseExternal link, the government said it had agreed on Friday “to strengthen ties with the Swiss Guard External linkby providing CHF5 million ($5.6 million) in funding for the renovation of the barracks in the Vatican. The total cost of the project is CHF55 million”.
The barracks have only undergone partial renovations since their construction in the early 19th century and no longer meet current standards in terms of comfort or sustainability, according to the government. The renovations will also meet the needs of more personnel, since the number of guards is being increased from 110 to 135. This renovation work “will be entrusted to Swiss architectural and engineering firms”.
Centenary
The decision comes as 2020 marks the centenary of the resumption of official relations between the Swiss Confederation and the Holy See.
“When relations broke down during the Kulturkampf between 1873 and 1920, the Swiss Guard continued to fulfil its mandate to protect the Pope and has thus connected Switzerland and the Vatican for over 500 years,” says the press release. “In addition to their ties through the Swiss Guard, Switzerland and the Vatican share the aim of promoting peace in the world through their bilateral relations.”
The “Kulturkampf” in Switzerland was a dispute between the state and the Catholic Church under Pope Pius IX. Switzerland has both majority-Protestant and majority Catholic cantons, although patterns of faith have changed in recent times.
“At home, the Swiss Guard enjoys widespread support among Swiss authorities and people regardless of faith community,” the government adds.
The guard has been suffering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, more than a dozen Swiss Guards and one person who lives in the residence that houses the Pope tested positive for the coronavirus and had to be quarantined. The quarantine ended on November 21External link.
Switzerland to introduce flight passenger database
This content was published on
Switzerland plans to introduce a flight passenger database to collect and process personal data in a bid to combat terrorism and serious crime.
Government plans to invest over CHF16bn in Swiss rail network
This content was published on
The federal government intends to invest CHF16.4 billion ($18.1 billion) in railway infrastructure between 2025 and 2028, CHF2 billion more than for the current period.
Swiss to vote on pension reform and biodiversity in September
This content was published on
Swiss citizens will vote on occupational pension schemes and a biodiversity initiative on September 22, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday.
Ukraine peace talks: 50 countries have confirmed participation
This content was published on
To date, 50 countries out 160 invited delegations have confirmed they will attend the Ukraine peace conference, held in central Switzerland in mid-June, according to Swiss public radio, RTS.
Federer-backed On boosts forecast after sneaker demand rises
This content was published on
Swiss footwear company On Holding AG posted strong first-quarter revenue, boosted by demand for its running shoes and new line of training apparel.
Michael Schumacher’s watches fetch CHF4 million at Swiss auction
This content was published on
Watches belonging to Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher sold for around CHF4 million ($4.41 million) at auction house Christie's in Geneva on Tuesday.
Macron will attend Swiss summit on Ukraine, says Zelensky
This content was published on
French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the peace conference on Ukraine at the Swiss Bürgenstock resort next month, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
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
More Swiss papal guards test Covid-19 positive
This content was published on
Thirteen members of the Vatican Swiss Guards have now tested positive for Covid-19, according to the latest update by officials.
This content was published on
The Swiss Guards, who have protected the Pope for 500 years, are about to receive new headgear: PVC plastic 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.
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.