This morning in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in Audience the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, on the occasion of the swearing in of newly-arrived recruits. Also in attendance at this morning's gathering were members of the families of these newly arrived members of the Papal Guard.
Dear Commander,
Dear Guards,
Dear families and friends of the Pontifical Swiss Guard,
I am happy to meet you on this day that is so important for you, a day of celebration! I greet you all with affection and gratitude. May 6 is a date which will remain carved in your memory and which will permit you, for the rest of your life, to joyfully relive a significant moment in your life in the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. This is a special day because we are commemorating the Sack of Rome and the heroic actions of your predecessors who, in 1527, offered their lives in defence of the Church and of the Pope. Your devotion proves that their courage and their fidelity have borne fruit, as the Gospel testifies: the seed that was sown, which died in the earth has grown (cf. Jn 12:24).
The social and ecclesial context has changed since then: society is different from what it was at the time. But the heart of man, his capacity to be faithful and courageous - acriter et fideliter as your motto states - has remained the same. Your service is therefore an authentic witness, because it expresses concretely the desire to give of yourself to an important and demanding task. You have made this choice with the help of your families and communities who have taught you. I wish to thank them too most sincerely.
Service in the Pontifical Swiss Guard means living an experience where time and space meet in a special way. Rome is rich with innumerable monuments as well as historical and artistic places which manifest the greatness of its culture and of its history. However, this city is not only a great museum, but a neighbourhood made up of tourists and pilgrims who come from all corners of the world: people of diverse languages, traditions, religions and cultures arrive here for different reasons. In this movement of history and of historic personnel, there is also each one of you. Through your particular service, you are called to bear Christian witness, serene and joyous, toward all those who arrive in the Vatican to visit Saint Peter's Basilica and to meet the Pope. Live each day as intensively as possible! Be solid in your faith and generous in love toward the people you meet.
The uniform you wear is one hundred years old. Its colours and its design are known all over the world: they remind everyone of your devotion, the serious nature of your work, and of security. They evoke dedicated service and a glorious past. However, behind every uniform there is a real person: who has a family and a homeland, a personality and a sensitivity, who has desires and plans for life. Your uniform is a characteristic and suggestive trait of the Swiss Guard which attracts people's attention. But you should always remember that it is not the uniform, but rather the one who wears it who must touch others by his gentleness, through a spirit of welcome, by an attitude of charity toward everyone. Consider these truths also in your relationships with each other; be sure to give importance too to your communal life, to sharing moments of joy as well as more difficult times, never ignoring those among you who are in difficulty and who sometimes need to see a smile, or to hear a word of encouragement and friendship. Stay away from creating negative distances which separate friends and which, in the lives of all persons throughout the world, can generate hard feelings, marginalization or racism.
Dear Swiss Guards, each day, I have the joy of witnessing up close your devotion and your commitment. I am extremely grateful for this gift! Be faithful to all that has ripened within your hearts: bear within you the certitude that the Lord is always at your side, supporting you on your journey, especially when your steps are tired or uncertain. He never abandons us! I also wish to express my closeness to all of you. I entrust you all, as well as the members of your families, to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the intercession of your Patron Saints Nicolas, Sebastian and Martin, and I willingly grant you my blessing.
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the meeting with newly-arrived recruits
of the Swiss Guard
Dear Commander,
Dear Guards,
Dear families and friends of the Pontifical Swiss Guard,
I am happy to meet you on this day that is so important for you, a day of celebration! I greet you all with affection and gratitude. May 6 is a date which will remain carved in your memory and which will permit you, for the rest of your life, to joyfully relive a significant moment in your life in the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. This is a special day because we are commemorating the Sack of Rome and the heroic actions of your predecessors who, in 1527, offered their lives in defence of the Church and of the Pope. Your devotion proves that their courage and their fidelity have borne fruit, as the Gospel testifies: the seed that was sown, which died in the earth has grown (cf. Jn 12:24).
The social and ecclesial context has changed since then: society is different from what it was at the time. But the heart of man, his capacity to be faithful and courageous - acriter et fideliter as your motto states - has remained the same. Your service is therefore an authentic witness, because it expresses concretely the desire to give of yourself to an important and demanding task. You have made this choice with the help of your families and communities who have taught you. I wish to thank them too most sincerely.
Service in the Pontifical Swiss Guard means living an experience where time and space meet in a special way. Rome is rich with innumerable monuments as well as historical and artistic places which manifest the greatness of its culture and of its history. However, this city is not only a great museum, but a neighbourhood made up of tourists and pilgrims who come from all corners of the world: people of diverse languages, traditions, religions and cultures arrive here for different reasons. In this movement of history and of historic personnel, there is also each one of you. Through your particular service, you are called to bear Christian witness, serene and joyous, toward all those who arrive in the Vatican to visit Saint Peter's Basilica and to meet the Pope. Live each day as intensively as possible! Be solid in your faith and generous in love toward the people you meet.
The uniform you wear is one hundred years old. Its colours and its design are known all over the world: they remind everyone of your devotion, the serious nature of your work, and of security. They evoke dedicated service and a glorious past. However, behind every uniform there is a real person: who has a family and a homeland, a personality and a sensitivity, who has desires and plans for life. Your uniform is a characteristic and suggestive trait of the Swiss Guard which attracts people's attention. But you should always remember that it is not the uniform, but rather the one who wears it who must touch others by his gentleness, through a spirit of welcome, by an attitude of charity toward everyone. Consider these truths also in your relationships with each other; be sure to give importance too to your communal life, to sharing moments of joy as well as more difficult times, never ignoring those among you who are in difficulty and who sometimes need to see a smile, or to hear a word of encouragement and friendship. Stay away from creating negative distances which separate friends and which, in the lives of all persons throughout the world, can generate hard feelings, marginalization or racism.
Dear Swiss Guards, each day, I have the joy of witnessing up close your devotion and your commitment. I am extremely grateful for this gift! Be faithful to all that has ripened within your hearts: bear within you the certitude that the Lord is always at your side, supporting you on your journey, especially when your steps are tired or uncertain. He never abandons us! I also wish to express my closeness to all of you. I entrust you all, as well as the members of your families, to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the intercession of your Patron Saints Nicolas, Sebastian and Martin, and I willingly grant you my blessing.
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