A new Swiss Guard swears to protect the pope, even sacrificing his life if necessary, during a ceremony on May 6, 2023. / Daniel Ibanez/CNAVatican City, May 6, 2023 / 13:00 pm (CNA).A group of new Swiss Guard recruits officially joined the ranks after swearing to "faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the reigning Pontiff" at the Vatican on Saturday.Wearing the red, orange, and blue grand gala uniform with armor, 23 new guardsmen swore their allegiance before friends and family during a ceremony in the San Damaso Courtyard on a sunny and breezy May 6. The ceremony began with the new guards, halberds in hand, marching into the courtyard.Twenty-three recruits were sworn-in to the Swiss Guard at the Vatican on May 6, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNASwiss Guard Commander Christoph Graf reminded the men of the proverb, "the clothes don t make the man," recalling that just as beautiful clothing does not say anything about the character of a person, neither does wearing the unifo
Swiss Guard Commander Christoph Graf reminded the men of the proverb, ‘the clothes don’t make the man,’ recalling that just as beautiful clothing does not say.