Swiss Guards of the Holy See
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With their feathered helmets, ruffled collars and coloured, puffed-sleeve uniforms, the Vatican Swiss Guards are often likened by curious visitors to medieval court jesters. But while they willingly pose for photographs, the watchmen are not there to entertain.
Since the early 16th century, when Swiss mercenaries, revered for their bravery and loyalty, marched to Rome to serve Pope Julius II, the world’s smallest army has been enlisted at the Vatican to protect the pope, his residence and the city’s borders.
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They are kind of like the Secret Service for the Pope
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@taiwan_girl said in Swiss Guards of the Holy See:
They are kind of like the Secret Service for the Pope
At this point I think they're more like the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace. The guys with the bear-skin hats.
Sure, they're actually soldiers and I wouldn't want to mess with them, but still....
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