Centuries later, the Swiss Guards prepared for a similar occurrence during World War II when they took up a defensive posture as the Germans marched into Rome. In the end, Adolf Hitler chose not ...

Pope Francis walks past Swiss Guards. Swiss Guards are highly trained soldiers some of whom provided round the clock security to Pope Francis during his stay in Kenya. (PHOTO: COURTESY/ ASSOCIATED ...

Sometimes called “the world’s smallest army” or “the Pope’s army,” it is officially the Guardia Svizzera or Swiss Guards, the soldiers responsible for the safety of the pope.

The life of St. John Paul II was characterized by an intense love for both God and the human person, reflected a former member of the Swiss Guard who helped to protect the pontiff. "The best way ...

John Paul II was Widmer’s boss. On Christmas Eve in 1986 Widmer was pulling his first duty as a newly recruited Swiss Guard assigned to protect the pope. When the pope emerged from the papal ...