Catholic World News News Feature

New commandant for Swiss Guard August 19, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Daniel Anrig as the new commandant of the Swiss Guard.

Anrig, who currently serves as commander general of police in the Swiss canton of Glarus, will assume his new post in December. He will succeed Elmar Mäder, who has led the Swiss Guard since 2002.

Colonel Mäder indicated earlier this year that he would not seek a second 5-year appointment as the head of the elite force. He had stirred some resentment at the Vatican by opposing changes that gave the separate Vatican gendamerie a greater role in security arrangements. Mäder had forcefully asserted that the Swiss Guard must retain its proud 500-year tradition of ensuring security for the Pope.

The incoming commandant served as a member of the Swiss Guard from 1992 to 1994. Returning to Switzerland, he then received a law degree from the University of Fribourg and taught there before returning to full-time police work. Anrig, who is 36 years old, is married to a theologian; they have four children.