Ex-Swiss minister seeks funds for Vatican Swiss Guard barracks
Swiss Guards, in their blue-and-yellow uniforms, parade in the courtyard of the Papal Guard barracks at the Vatican, Rome, in 2006
Keystone / Maurizio Brambatti
Former Swiss cabinet minister Doris Leuthard has agreed to help find tens of millions of Swiss francs to fund a new barracks for the Swiss Guard at the Vatican City in Rome, Italy.
Leuthard, who stepped down as environment, transport, energy and communications minister in December 2018, will preside over a foundation which plans to rebuild the Swiss Guard barracks in Rome.
She will be responsible for having to find around CHF55 million ($54 million), the foundation External linksaid on Wednesday.
The current barracks, built in the 19th-century, is run-down and does not have sufficient space to house the guards and their families. The Ticino architects Durisch+Nolli are overseeing the design of the project, which should be ready in 2023.
The foundation plans to seek funds in Switzerland and abroad with support from Vatican City officials.
In Rome, the Pontifical Swiss GuardExternal link is tasked with protecting the pope and his official palace in the Vatican City. The elite corps has protected the Vatican since 1506 since the first Swiss mercenaries arrived on request of the then Pope Julius II.
New members of the 135-strong company must be single Swiss men (aged 19-30) and Roman Catholic; they serve for a period of at least two years. After five years’ service they are allowed to marry and invite their families to join them at the barracks.
More
More
Behind the Vatican walls
This content was published on
Following the example set by Pope Francis in his desire for a more open Church, the Swiss Guard has opened its most private moments to the world through the lens of photographer Fabio Mantegna. The exhibition exposes the private life of the guards behind the Vatican walls – a life rarely seen by the public.…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
The Swiss soldiers guarding the pope
This content was published on
“To be a Swiss Guard is a vocation. You need faith and deep conviction to follow this extraordinary and noble commitment,” says Colonel Christoph Graf, commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which was formed in 1506 by Pope Julius II. This year, 23 new recruits will take the oath in the Vatican. May 6 commemorates…
This content was published on
Following the example set by Pope Francis in his desire for a more open Church, the Swiss Guard has opened its most private moments to the world through the lens of photographer Fabio Mantegna. The exhibition exposes the private life of the guards behind the Vatican walls – a life rarely seen by the public.…
This content was published on
The men who protect the Pope aren’t just soldiers in an unusual uniform: they have a long history and have to meet strict requirements to do the job.
This content was published on
The Swiss Guards, who have protected the Pope for 500 years, are about to receive new headgear: PVC plastic helmets made with a 3D printer.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.