The event occurred in the San Damaso Courtyard within the Vatican, surrounded by centuries-old architecture and the colorful pageantry for which the Swiss Guard is known. Clad in their traditional Renaissance uniforms of blue, red, and yellow, the new recruits pledged to defend the pope, even at the risk of their own lives.

Papal Presence Marks Historic Return to Tradition

Pope Leo XIV’s presence on Saturday was especially notable, marking the first time since 1968—when Pope Paul VI attended—that the Bishop of Rome joined the annual ceremony. Although the swearing-in is typically held each May 6 to commemorate the 1527 Sack of Rome, this year’s ceremony was pushed back due to the papal conclave in the spring.

The conclave, held earlier in 2025, resulted in the election of Pope Leo XIV, whose attendance at the event was seen as a meaningful gesture to the Guard and the Vatican community. The delay did not diminish the significance of the moment, which affirmed the pope’s connection to the elite unit tasked with overseeing papal security.

“From the first steps of my pontificate, dear Swiss Guards, I have been able to count on your faithful service,” Pope Leo XIV said during a meeting with the new guards and their families on the eve of the ceremony. The meeting was held at the Apostolic Palace on Friday, October 3.

Swiss Guard Tradition and Religious Significance

The Pontifical Swiss Guard, founded in 1506, is the world’s oldest standing army and serves as the Vatican’s official security force. Though few in number, its members are carefully selected from among Catholic Swiss citizens, required to have completed basic military training in Switzerland and to live a life anchored in faith and discipline.

The swearing-in holds deep symbolic weight. Each recruit kneels before the Guard's flag and vows loyalty to the pope. The ceremony simultaneously honors the unit's longstanding commitment and reinforces the importance of spiritual service in modern times.

Leo XIV urged the new guards to look to the early Christian martyrs as sources of courage and purpose. He encouraged them to nurture their spiritual lives amid what he described as the “frenzy of our society.”

Ceremony Offers Visual Tribute to Service

Photographs taken during Saturday’s oath-taking show the new members standing at attention against the backdrop of the Vatican’s stately courtyard. With halberds in hand and solemn expressions, the guards repeated their vows under the watchful gaze of Pope Leo XIV and assembled dignitaries.

The visual elements of the event echoed traditions centuries old. Among typically silent ceremonial activities, the event continues to carry resonance with Vatican rituals of honor, loyalty, and protection tied closely to religious and institutional identity.

Though the Swiss Guard operates with modern security training and methods, its formal rituals remain steeped in ecclesiastical history and visual symbolism, reinforcing both spiritual commitment and defense of the Holy See.

Meeting with Families Underscores Papal Gratitude

The pope’s encounter with the new guards and their families one day before the ceremony added a personal dimension to the larger event. By meeting in the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo XIV expressed his appreciation not only for the service of the guards but the sacrifices made by their loved ones.

He reassured those gathered that the successor of Saint Peter can carry out his mission “in the certainty that you are watching over his safety.” The pope’s words underlined the sense of trust placed in the elite corps, which has protected popes for more than 500 years.

The decision to meet privately with families ahead of the public oath affirmed Leo XIV's pastoral style and personal engagement since stepping into the role after the conclave earlier this year.

Delayed Ceremony Highlights Changing Vatican Calendar

This year’s postponement of the May ceremony marked a rare shift in the Vatican’s otherwise consistent ceremonial schedule. Traditionally held in spring to recall the sacrifice of guards during the 1527 assault on Rome, the event’s movement to autumn allowed incoming guards to begin service under the new pontificate of Leo XIV.

Despite the change in timing, participants and Vatican officials ensured that the ceremony’s solemnity and spiritual significance remained intact. The postponement was viewed by many as a necessary adjustment rather than a break from tradition.

The delay also emphasized the adaptation of ancient rituals within the demands of contemporary Church life, including the election of a new pope and the associated transitions within Vatican structures.