holding a heavy halberd at port arms. Unless, of course, you are a member of the Vatican’s 135-strong Swiss Guard. But despite appearances—namely, their red, orange, and blue Renaissance ...

The cardinals are sealed inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City ... Helmeted papal Swiss guards were stationed outside the door — armed with spear-tipped halberd axes — while the shadow ...

recruits train at the Pontifical Swiss Guard Headquarters in Vatican City. They learn proper saluting, individual and group formations, guard changes and how to handle the halberd, a weapon used ...

For the second month, recruits train at the Pontifical Swiss Guard Headquarters in Vatican City. They learn proper saluting, individual and group formations, guard changes and how to handle the ...

New recruits of the Vatican’s elite Swiss Guard stand in line during a swearing in ceremony ... language skills (particularly Italian), and how to handle the halberd — a traditional polearm that dates ...

The Swiss Guard is often seen as a colorful, almost decorative feature of the Vatican, with their Renaissance-inspired ... and handle weapons like the halberd. They also receive advanced security ...