Pope blesses Swiss Guards on corps' 500th anniversary

Published: 2006-01-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On the 500th anniversary of the founding of the world's oldest active army, Pope Benedict XVI gave his apostolic blessing to a contingent of Swiss Guards who were lined up in formation in St. Peter's Square. From his apartment window in the Apostolic Palace Jan. 22, the pope thanked this "well-deserving" corps for its "500 years of service." He imparted "a heartfelt" apostolic blessing to approximately 70 guards gathered in the square and to former guards who were watching the event from Fribourg, Switzerland, via a live, televised link. Pope Benedict recalled how on Jan. 22, 1506, "Pope Julius II welcomed and blessed the first contingent of Swiss Guards" that arrived in Rome after the pontiff requested the soldiers come to protect the pope and the Apostolic Palace. "This is how the Swiss Guards were born," Pope Benedict said. The pope said his special blessing for the guards was a sign of his "appreciation and recognition" of their service and fidelity.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .