Wanted in Rome 05 May, 2021 Swiss Guards celebrate 515 years in 2021. The Vatican will hold its annual ceremony to swear-in new recruits into the Swiss Guards, the world's smallest army, on Thursday 6 May. The pomp-filled event, held in the S. Damaso courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, will see the 34 new guards take a solemn oath of allegiance to the pope. It will be the second year in a row that the ceremony will take place without an audience, in line with covid-19 protocols. Traditionally held each year on 6 May, last year's event was postponed until October, due to the coronavirus emergency. A handful of family members will attend this year's ceremony which will be streamed live via the Swiss Guards website from 17.00.