You might be surprised at the age of the Swiss Guard uniform that we all know. Although the puffed sleeves, standing collar, boot covers, and pantaloons scream “Renaissance,” the colorful uniform is just over 100 years old.
The legend crediting Michelangelo with the uniform’s design is not without ground; in Vatican frescoes from that artist’s time, the Swiss Guard are depicted in vaguely similar garments. None of Michelangelo’s incredible designs, however, ever came under the needle of a tailor.
Nonetheless, the true story of the uniforms is arguably just as exciting as the legend.
In 1910, a new Swiss Guard Commandant—Jules Repond—began his command of the world-famous corps. The corps, however, was in bad condition. It had become lax—almost strictly ceremonial. Repond began a successful reform, not only reestablishing the Guards’ militaristic discipline, but also scrutinizing their uniforms.
He carefully researched the Guard’s old garments and designed the uniform we know and love today: a look evocative of the Guard’s Renaissance roots combined with practical moveability for military exercises. He also retained the family colors of Pope Julius II (the founder of the Guard) and his successor Pope Leo X—the iconic red, blue, and yellow.
The uniform was officially approved in 1914.
Most people think of the Pontifical Swiss Guard as ceremonial soldiers standing in colorful uniforms, but they are a real military force responsible for the security of the Pope and certain Vatican properties.
Their duties include:
Protecting the Pope
Guarding entrances to Vatican City
Providing security at papal audiences and liturgies
Controlling access to Vatican buildings
Assisting with crowd management and visitor screening
Accompanying the Pope on some trips
I happen to be in Rome as I write this, and the other day, as we were leaving Mass at St. Anne's Church (Sant'Anna dei Palafrenieri), which is on the grounds of the Vatican, a guard was speaking to a visitor and enforcing the Vatican's dress code. The visitor was wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. He looked surprised when the guard said he could not enter the church because "You look like you are going to the beach"!
The Vatican asks visitors entering churches and sacred spaces to dress modestly. There is a dress code. Often, clothing that is considered too casual or revealing will result in being turned away because it is considered inappropriate attire for a sacred space.
One thing many visitors don't realize is that the Swiss Guard's work is often quite pastoral. They spend much of their day giving directions, helping lost pilgrims, managing lines, and gently reminding visitors about Vatican customs and etiquette. So the guard I saw was doing exactly what he was assigned to do: helping preserve the dignity of a church while controlling access to a Vatican property.
Interestingly, the Swiss Guards must be:
Male
Practicing Catholics
Swiss citizens
Have completed Swiss military service
Be unmarried when they enter service
Beneath those colorful uniforms are trained soldiers entrusted with protecting the Pope and the Vatican.
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