VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Meeting new recruits to the Swiss Guard, Pope Francis thanked the young men for their diligent and important work serving the successor of St. Peter every single day.
"The Holy See counts on you! Vatican City is proud of your presence!" he said in a private audience at the Vatican May 6, welcoming 36 men from Switzerland who were to be sworn in as Swiss Guards later that day.
"I take this opportunity to thank the entire corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard for their precise and precious daily collaboration to which I am a firsthand witness," he said.
Their work "is both fascinating and full of responsibility in the heart of the universal church," he said, but it also means they should live it "as a Christian and communal witness."
He encouraged them to prioritize their professional formation, prayer and spiritual life. The ideal of serving the church will help them "face the inevitable moments of difficulty" when they arise.
The pope also encouraged them to cultivate healthy friendships with each other in a spirit of "sincere and fraternal dialogue."
The colorful induction ceremony of new recruits is held May 6 to mark the date in 1527 when 147 Swiss Guards lost their lives defending Pope Clement VII in the Sack of Rome. Only 42 guards survived. Holding the ceremony on the anniversary is meant to remind new guards of the seriousness of their commitment.
Pope Francis meets with new members of the Swiss Guard ahead of their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis greets a new member of the Swiss Guard ahead of their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis greets a child during a meeting with new members of the Swiss Guard ahead of their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis waves as he arrives for a meeting with new members of the Swiss Guard ahead of their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis blesses the womb of a pregnant woman during a meeting with new members of the Swiss Guard ahead of their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis poses during a meeting with new members of the Swiss Guard ahead of their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis meets with new members of the Swiss Guard ahead of their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
New members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard arrive for their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
New members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard arrive for their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Swiss Guard recruits arrive for the induction ceremony for 36 new guards in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican May 6, 2022. The ceremony is held on May 6 to mark the date in 1527 when 147 Swiss Guards lost their lives defending Pope Clement VII in the Sack of Rome. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
New members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard arrive for their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2022. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
A Swiss Guard recruit takes his oath during the induction ceremony for 36 new guards in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican May 6, 2022. The ceremony is held on May 6 to mark the date in 1527 when 147 Swiss Guards lost their lives defending Pope Clement VII in the Sack of Rome. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
