Their silent presence has been a constant in all events following the death of Pope Francis. The colonel and a major of this corps have sworn strict confidentiality under the risk of excommunication.

Armor like a knight on horseback. A helmet with bright-colored plumes sticking out. Wide blue and gold-striped pants that can seem almost clown-like. The Swiss Guard, the pope’s iconic bodyguards, ...

As the late Pope Francis greeted thousands of guests in Vatican City on Easter Sunday, the Swiss Guard was not far, watching over the pontiff as it has done for more than 500 years. At the age of 88, ...

As videos and photos of the late Pope Francis circulate online, many have taken notice of the striking figures standing vigil beside his body — the Swiss Guard. Dressed in vibrant Renaissance-era ...

VATICAN CITY, — They’re some of the most recognizable figures in Vatican City, dressed in bright stripes and carrying ancient weapons. But behind the pageantry, the Swiss Guard is a modern security ...