New elite Swiss Guard members sworn in to protect Pope

Known to tourists in St Peter's Square for its colourful yellow, red and blue uniforms and ceremonial halberd weapons, the "world's smallest army" comprises Swiss Catholics aged between 19 and 30 and remains all male.

"My mum always made these jokes that when I was older, I could go to the Swiss Guards because I was Swiss," Fischer told Reuters.

Fischer did military service in Switzerland where he learned that he ticked other boxes to join the Guard, whose members must be deemed of "impeccable character" as well as being at least 1.74 metres tall.

"When I was done with the military, I looked it up and I was like 'Yeah why not? Let's try to get in', and now I'm here," said Fischer, who is from the small town of Ruswil.

"I'm enjoying it very much, and it's amazing."

During the swearing-in ceremony, the new recruits to the 135-strong force knelt before Pope Francis, raised three fingers on their right hand to represent the Holy Trinity and swore an oath to serve the pontiff to the death.

"It's not 100 per cent just being the police of the Vatican, but I very much value Pope Francis," Fischer said.

"I very much agree with his values, and I think for me it's an honour to protect him."

The Swiss Guard was founded by Pope Julius II in 1506.

It has expanded from 110 members under Pope Francis in time for the 2025 Holy Year when millions of additional pilgrims are expected to visit the Vatican.

The swearing-in ceremony is held on May 6, commemorating the date in 1527 when 147 Guards were killed defending Pope Clement VII from an attack by the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

Swiss Guards sign up for a minimum of 26 months.

They must be single when they join but can marry once they are older than 25 and have served for more than five years.

Australian Associated Press