Swiss Guard Celebrates 500 Years- January 22, 2006 Today marks the 500th anniversary of the date on which the first Swiss Guards arrived at the Vatican to protect the pope.From the official Vatican Web site:January 22nd, 1506, is the official date of birth of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, because on that day, towards the evening, a group of one hundred and fifty Swiss soldiers commanded by Captain Kasparvon Silenen, of Canton Uri, passed through the Porta del Popolo and entered for the first time the Vatican, where they were blessed by Pope...http://thepopeblog.blogspot.com/2006/01/swiss-guard-celebrates-500-years.html |