Pope to Swiss Guards: Service enriches personal journey of faith
Vatican News • • world
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV met with the newly sworn-in Pontifical Swiss Guards and their families, expressing gratitude for their service and highlighting the pride Switzerland should feel in their cultural and spiritual contributions to the Vatican.
- He emphasized that while the Guards' mission is primarily military, they are also called to holiness and personal faith, viewing their service as part of a spiritual journey.
- The Pope encouraged the Guards to find strength and reflection through prayer, especially during night shifts, invoking their patron saint, St. Nicholas of Flüe, to guide their dedication.
- Life in the barracks was described as a privileged environment for cultivating virtues such as service, generosity, humility, and fraternal solidarity, which foster harmony and joy within the Guard.
- Pope Leo XIV concluded by entrusting the Guards to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and their patron saints, renewing his appreciation for their humble and discreet service to the Holy See.
