On January 22, 2019, for the 513th anniversary of its foundation, the Pontifical Swiss Guard inaugurated new black helmets and a series of short films on the life of the Vatican’s armed corps.
To mark the anniversary, the guards and families of their District attended a Mass, at the end of the day, in the church of “Santa Maria in Campo Santo Teutonico.” After the celebration, they marched to Saint Peter’s Square to commemorate the arrival of the first Swiss mercenaries on January 22, 1506, stated a press release
After their return to Caserne, a military ceremony took place. The note specifies that the guards will wear, for the first time, their new black helmets, made in Switzerland by a 3D printer. The new helmets are made of a resistant plastic to UV: they are lighter and more comfortable than the metallic helmets for long guards in broad daylight, during liturgical celebrations or Audiences in Saint Peter’s Square,
The Swiss Guard also published the first short film of the series “1506 — The Swiss Guard Presents Itself,” on the theme “Service of Honour” — a series of some 20 videos made to “give a general view of the life of its men.” The first chapter shows the guards preparing to receive a Head of State, in this instance, of the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, and his reception.
