Pope praises new Swiss Guards: 'visible guardians' of a proud tradition

CWN - May 07, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI held a private audience on May 7 with 30 new members of the Swiss Guard, who had been sworn at during a Vatican ceremony the previous day. Speaking to the new members and their families-- first in German, then French, then Italian-- the Pope thanked them for their "generous commitment" and praised the proud traditions of the Swiss Guard, of which they were not the "visible guardians."

"Your service will bring you to discover, in the face of each man and woman, a pilgrim seeking another face through which to receive a living sign of the Lord," the Pope told the recruits. He expressed the hope that their service at the Vatican would help them to "mature as individuals and as Christians."

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  • Posted by: filioque - May. 08, 2010 10:32 AM ET USA

    Was it nice to swear at the new Guards?

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