When the chief of the Catholic Church passes away, the Swiss Guards shift right into a extremely specialised protocol that has developed over centuries.
As Pope Francis‘ well being made headlines earlier this 12 months, many questioned: What precisely do these Swiss troopers do when there is no such thing as a Pope to guard? Pope Francis handed away on Easter Monday on the age of 88 years, and the Swiss Guards have initiated a particular protocol.
Who Do the Swiss Guards Defend Throughout Papal Transition?
1. Faculty of Cardinals Turns into Their Precedence
When a Pope’s demise is introduced, the Swiss Guards instantly swap their major safety obligation. With no residing pontiff to safeguard, the 135-member Swiss Guards corps redirects its protecting mission.
Earlier than the brand new Pope is introduced, the primary accountability of the Swiss Guards turns into defending the Faculty of Cardinals, who quickly lead the Catholic Church. That is particularly vital as cardinals from around the globe collect in Rome for the conclave to elect a brand new Pope.
Swiss Captain Christoph Graf defined in a 2019 interview with Swiss media: „Our mission stays essentially unchanged. We defend the establishment of the papacy, with or and not using a residing Pope.“
The Swiss Guards‘ position throughout papal transition exemplifies their broader mission: defending not simply the particular person of the Pope however the establishment of the papacy itself. Their theme of „Fiercely and Faithfully“ (Acriter et Fideliter) displays their unwavering dedication throughout this transition.
2. Sustaining a Dignified Vigil
Most likely probably the most real obligation of the Swiss Guards throughout this era is their standing guard over the deceased Pope’s physique. In my view, this custom demonstrates their unwavering loyalty finest.
Guards preserve a 24-hour vigil of their full ceremonial uniforms, positioning themselves on the 4 corners of the Pope’s bier. The rotation continues all through the nine-day mourning interval known as novendiale.
This dedication was significantly seen after Pope Benedict XVI’s passing, when Swiss Guards reportedly refused to depart his facet even after officers ordered the lights in St. Peter’s Basilica to be turned off.
Swiss Guards‘ Safety Operations Throughout Papal Transition
The Swiss Guards of the Vatican proceed their safety operations all through Vatican Metropolis throughout the time earlier than a brand new Pope is inaugurated (interregnum).
1. Border Management and Entry Administration
As Vatican Metropolis’s de facto safety drive, they preserve their posts in any respect entrances and strategic areas, functioning considerably like a small police drive for the world’s smallest sovereign state.
2. Conclave Safety: Guarding the Papal Election
Maybe their most important operational obligation throughout the transition is securing the conclave, the key papal election course of. Guards display screen and management entry to the Sistine Chapel, making certain the secrecy and integrity of the voting course of. Particular consideration is given to stopping digital surveillance and verifying that cardinals stay remoted from exterior affect.
The Swiss Guards‘ Ceremonial Obligations
The guards play vital ceremonial roles throughout a papal transition. Listed here are all of the duties carried out:
1. Funeral Processions and Rituals
Through the novendiale, the Swiss Guards take part in processions accompanying the Pope’s physique and kind honor guards throughout funeral lots. They assist preserve order as hundreds of mourners pay respects and carry out ceremonial salutes at key moments.
2. Asserting the New Pope
When a brand new Pope is elected, the Swiss Guards are at all times seen within the historic announcement. As quickly as white smoke seems from the Sistine Chapel chimney, a detachment of Swiss Guards marches into St. Peter’s Sq. to take positions close to the central balcony the place the brand new Pope will seem.
Historic Context: A Swiss Custom of Papal Safety
The Swiss Guards‘ procedures throughout papal transition signify centuries of custom. Their unwavering dedication immediately is a direct echo of their legendary stand in 1527, when 147 Swiss Guards misplaced their lives defending Pope Clement VII throughout the Sack of Rome.
Solely 42 guards survived that day, and that was no accident. These males have been particularly tasked with escorting the Pope to security, main him by way of the hidden passageway to the fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo whereas chaos raged exterior.
Postponement of Swearing-In Ceremonies in 2025
Yearly, new Swiss Guard recruits are sworn in on Could 6. The date was particularly chosen to honor this supreme sacrifice. Nevertheless, in years when a Pope passes away, deliberate ceremonial occasions for brand spanking new Swiss Guard recruits are sometimes postponed out of respect.
Following Pope Francis‘ demise on April 21, 2025, Vatican officers introduced the postponement of the Could sixth swearing-in ceremony.
What is the „Silver Hammer“ Protocol?
One fascinating historic custom related to papal demise was the „Silver Hammer Protocol.“ The Cardinal Camerlengo (Chamberlain) would confirm the Pope’s demise by gently tapping the deceased pontiff’s brow with a silver hammer whereas calling out his baptismal title 3 times. After receiving no response, the demise can be formally declared.
Whereas fashionable medical verification has changed this observe, this ceremonial verification was traditionally the second when the Swiss Guards would formally transition their major loyalty to the Sacred Faculty of Cardinals.
Latest Occasions Surrounding the Demise of Pope Francis
When Pope Francis was hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia in early 2025, it put the Vatican on alert for what may occur if the papacy all of the sudden grew to become vacant. Behind the scenes, the Swiss Guards have been working beneath curfew and commenced quietly rehearsing the protocols they’d have to observe if the Pope handed away.
Contingency plans kicked in: the Swiss Guards reviewed safety for the conclave, practiced funeral ceremonies, and brushed up on how you can guard the Pope’s stays. Additionally they ready for the crowds of mourners and dignitaries who would flood Rome if the worst occurred.
Most of those preparations keep out of sight, however they present how significantly the Swiss Guards take their obligation. The transition wraps up when the guards formally salute the newly elected Pope, shifting their safety from the Faculty of Cardinals to the brand new pontiff.
The Pope’s funeral might be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Deliberate attendees embrace world leaders like Donald Trump, Brazil’s Lula da Silva, and Ukraine’s Zelensky.
The Swiss Guards Assure Continuity
For Switzerland, the continued presence of the Swiss Guards on the Vatican represents one of many nation’s most seen worldwide traditions. They’re a residing hyperlink between Swiss army excellence and Catholicism that continues whether or not a Pope lives, dies, or is but to be chosen.
What Do the Swiss Guards Do When the Pope Dies? first appeared within the Newly Swissed On-line Journal
