Military of Vatican City
| Pontifical Swiss Guard | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Active | 22 January 1506– present (510 years) |
| Country |
 Vatican City
|
| Allegiance | Pope Francis |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Foot Guards |
| Role | Close Protection |
| Size | 110 men – One reinforced company |
| Garrison/HQ | Vatican City |
| Patron |
Martin of Tours Saint Sebastian Nicholas of Flüe |
| Motto(s) | "Acriter et Fideliter" Bravely and Faithfully |
| Colors | Red, Yellow & Blue |
| Engagements | Sack of Rome (1527) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Christoph Graf |
| Ceremonial chief | Pope Francis |
The State of Vatican City is an enclave country which lies entirely within Rome, the capital of Italy. The responsibility for defending the state from an aggressor lies primarily with the Italian Armed Forces. Vatican City has within its territory the Pontifical Swiss Guard or Swiss Guard.
The Swiss Guard is a small force maintained by the Holy See and is responsible for the safety of the Pope, including the security of the Apostolic Palace. It controls access to the entrances to the city-state together with the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City, a civilian force maintained by Vatican City. Ever since it was founded in 1929 Vatican City has never been at war and has only seen anything close to military action when it was bombed during World War II.
The State of Vatican City was established in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty. Historically, a number of other military units existed in the territory of Vatican City State with ceremonial rather than military duties, including the Noble Guard and the Palatine Guard, abolished by Pope Paul VI in 1970.
The Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard or Swiss Guard (Ger: Schweizergarde, Ital. Guardia Svizzera Pontificia, Lat. Pontificia Cohors Helvetica or Cohors Pedestris Helvetiorum a Sacra Custodia Pontificis) is a small force responsible for the safety of the Pope, including the security of the Apostolic Palace. During the periods of "sede vacante" (which is when there is no pope), the Swiss Guard instead guards the College of Cardinals, so as to ensure that the Cardinals, meeting in Conclave, are able to perform their duty in electing a new Pope.
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Wikipedia