Rome, Italy, Jul 30, 2010 / 18:05 pm
An interview with former Swiss Guard Joseph Schmidt, was released this week in which he addressed the meaning behind his 15 years of service in the mid-20th century. Schmidt, who also highlighted the history of the office, died the same day the interview aired.
The television news agency, Rome Reports, released the "Farewell to a Swiss Guard who served three popes: his last interview" on Wednesday, the day Joseph Schmidt died.
In the interview, he explained that the Swiss Guard was formed in 1506 by 189 soldiers sent by the Swiss government to Rome to protect Pope Julius II when he left the Vatican premises. As the video's narrator pointed out, they have been there ever since.
Schmidt himself served among their ranks for 15 years. He explained that, "For almost 8 years, I served Pius XII, then John XXIII and in the later years it was Paul VI.” Schmidt was made lieutenant by the time of his discharge.