L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano A s much a requirement as tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, so too is snapping a selfie paired with a stoic Swiss Guard standing watch in Vatican City. They're certainly not hard to spot in their vividly striped mustard yellow, royal blue, and flaming red uniforms. However, other than being great Instagram fodder, most visitors know little about them other than the name -- and questioning just why they're not called Italian Guards. And a good question that is. Ital- ians are proud of their country and culture; why would a foreign regi- ment be appointed to protect the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the heart of Vatican City? We can trace the answer back some 500 years ago. Affluent, pris- tine Switzerland – a land associated with breathtaking scenery, lots of banks, impeccably manicured towns, and some really good cheese – wasn't always so ideal. Settled by an influx of Celtic tribes beginning 2.000 years ago, an ad- vanced civilization of people known as the Helvetians populated modern-day Switzerland. Little is known about the specifics of these Celtic people as no known written records exist; however, what is known is the reputation throughout Europe of the Helvetian soldier. State-like regions within the PAULA REYNOLDS Today, the Swiss Guard, the world's smallest army, is com- prised of 110 members. But not just anyone can join this elite club. Before you set your heart on wear- ing those colorful stripes, read on: Men Only The Guard remains female- free…and most likely will. Height Matters Some things on the list just can't be earned. An applicant must be no shorter than five feet eight inches tall – period. Good Reputation High moral standards, ethical behavior, and no skeletons in your closet should suffice. Swiss and Only Swiss Any other citizenship need not apply. Unmarried…at Least During the First Three Years Guard members are not allowed to be married for the duration of their enlistment. The rules are bent a bit, though, for anyone who has served three years, attained the rank of corporal, and signs on for three more years. Catholics Only When a daily willingness to die for the Pope is part of your job de- scription…this goes almost with- out saying. Service in the Army Completion of service in the Swiss Army is required; additional elite training comes upon enlist- ment. It's a demanding gauntlet to earn the title of Swiss Guard. Each May 6th, in honor of the 1527 mas- sacre, new guards are sworn in and blessed by the Pope. A season of honored service ensues for those who pass the challenging muster. Renaissance-hip uniforms – yes… but the Swiss Guard are foremost an impressive, brave, and committed band of soldiers. And they really don't mind you snap- ping that selfie – been there, done that! boundaries of what is now modern Switzerland were known as can- tons. These cantons became heav- ily populated by various Celtic tribes with numbers reaching an estimated 500.000 inhabitants by the 1400s -- a lot of people trying to squeeze out a living on a small amount of inhabitable land. Poverty was commonplace by this time which caused many to con- sider emigration just to survive. Helvetian young men had a repu- tation for bravery, loyalty, and a dogged willingness to fight. Work as a mercenary soldier came natu- rally; hiring out to another country made perfect sense. These soldiers looked upon their duties as almost seasonal work: off to war in the warmer season, fight and pillage, return home in the winter with a paycheck and some bounties of war. And mercenary work was easy to come by. The reputation of these young men, hereupon referred to as Swiss, as skilled warriors cre- ated high demand within Europe throughout the 1400s. Steely and uncompromising, it wasn't unusual for outnumbered regiments of Swiss mercenaries to take on much larger armies and come out on top. France and Spain made use of these soldiers-for-hire, and even recruited them for training of their own forces. In turn, the cantons re- ceived protection by way of these economically stable countries. These events didn't escape the notice of Pope Julius II. On Janu- ary 22, 1506, one hundred and fifty Swiss soldiers beckoned by the Pope marched into the Vatican to offer their protection. The official Pontifical Swiss Guard was born! A mere twenty-one years later, the Guard was put to the test in one of history's most heroic last- stands. Pope Clement VII, now at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church, was a rather faint-hearted fellow who shifted his allegiance between the Holy Roman emperor Charles V and King Francis of France. The hammer came down upon Rome when Pope Clement aligned himself once again with France, co-authoring the League of Cognac in hopes of squashing any attempts by Charles to over- take his power. Emperor Charles looked none too kindly on this and hastily devised a plan to punish the Holy City, along with its wavering Pope. The emperor of Italy called upon legions of mostly Lutheran mercenary troops hailing from Germany, Spain, and Italy to fulfill his plan. Happy to sack and plun- der the city that represented Catholicism, not to mention they hadn't yet been paid by Charles for previous warring and plunder- ing, the May 6, 1527 Sack of Rome began. A mere 5.000 Ro- man soldiers along with 189 loyal Swiss Guard stood their ground against these 20.000 warriors as wave upon wave poured into the city headed straight to the Vatican. The unrelenting and highly out- numbered regiment of 189 stood fast, fighting desperately to hold off the mutinous Emperor's on- slaught. Enough time was bought to allow the Pope and his en- tourage to make their escape via the Passetto to safety in Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo. About forty Swiss Guard managed to break away and make their way to the Passetto, stalling the blood thirsty troops as best they could. When the last battle cries subsided, only 42 of the original 189 remained. The heroic and loyal image that defines the Swiss Guard as protec- tors of the Pope was forevermore seared in time. The Swiss Guards as we know them: stern and… colorful © Palinchak | Dreamstime.com Taking a picture with a Swiss Guard is "as much a requirement as tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain."Ninlawan Donlakkham | Dreamstime.com Sentinels to the Pope: the Vatican's Swiss Guard LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

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