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Vatican Swiss Guard Faces Shrinking Ranks and High Hurdles
The Vatican Swiss Guard, the pope’s elite force and one of history’s oldest military units, enlists only 19 to 25 year old Roman Catholic Swiss men of spotless character. The two year term begins with a monthly pay of 161 dollars, minus 32 for food and quarters. The guard’s medieval halberd remains its main weapon, and the corps, now 75 strong, faces recruitment challenges after nearly 450 years of service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Unse
Vatican
Julius
Switzerland