Vatican City, May 5, 2009 / 08:19 am
The Vatican is preparing to swear in 32 recruits as members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard tomorrow at five in the evening. The ceremony is celebrated every year on May 6 to commemorate the death of the 147 Swiss Guards who died during the Sack of Rome.
Tomorrow the recruits will begin their day with Mass at seven, along with the Swiss Guards and their families at St. Peter’s Basilica.
At 8:30 a.m., Commander of the Swiss Guard Daniel Rudolf Anrig, will place a laurel wreath at the monument in the courtyard of the Swiss Guard barracks commemorating the 147 members of the corps who lost their lives protecting Pope Clement VII from the onslaught of the troops of Emperor Charles V during the Sack of Rome on May 6, 1527.
Archbishop Fernando Filoni, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, will then confer military decorations on certain members of the Guard.