Protecting the Vatican: The Mysterious History of the Swiss Guard

Do you know the Swiss Guard, the colorful protectors of the Vatican as well as you thought you did? No country can not have its army, and such is also the case with the Vatican. But, as one might expect, it is also not fitting for someone in the Vatican to be a soldier or vice-versa. Learn about the Swiss Guard, which has defended the Vatican and its residents and visitors from harm for centuries.The Swiss Guard is a personal security detail that has been in the service of the Vatican for over 500 years. They are best known for their brightly colored pantaloons and their pointed, shiny metal helmets which look like something out of a Renaissance fair. And for visitors to Vatican City who see the smiling faces of the guards as they stand at attention in front of important sites, it's easy to shrug them off as just another part of the Vatican's well-developed tourism/pilgrimage industry.But these men are much more than tour guides with halberds. They have been entrusted with the