What country has provided the Pope’s armed guards for centuries?

I toured St. Peter's Basilica in 1987. To the right of the cathedral outside we saw the entrance to Vatican City. When we walked to awesome castle-like doors protected by two guards we knew we were getting a bit too close as the guards lowered their swords blocking the door. It was pretty cool and it's also very cool they've never felt the need to modernize the uniforms. Nothing wrong with tradition.

Great responsibility to protect the head of the Roman Catholic Church with honor and vigilance and respect.

Not just ceremonial. They are well trained like our secret Service w/o the fancy uniforms.

Ironic that a country as famously neutral as Switzerland should have some of their cutizens classed as outstanding mercenaries!

nena, But not to tourists, We had reserved frpnt row seats at a papal audience, which guarnteed you could touch touch the Pope's hand as he passed. Hpwever a gang of German tourists pushed passed then physically shoved us aside, so they could dive into our seats. Our leader protested to the watching Swiss guard wh sneered, shrugged and gazed into space.He didn't do much for the Pope, either, when those thugs tries to grab hold of him as he passed. (You are supposed to extend you hand so your fingertips LIGHTLY brush his hand as he passes.)

I visited the Vatican City and founded very beautiful, the Swiss Guards very majestic, and very polite.

Kat, maybe because they are from the 1500s.