When Pope Francis arrives in Iraq on March 5, he will be accompanied by a unique security detail. Known as the world's smallest army and always visible near the pope with eccentric, brightly-coloured uniforms, the origins of the Swiss Guard date back more than 500 years.
Late in the Middle Ages, it became tradition to recruit Swiss mercenaries as special military units because of the Swiss reputation for producing highly professional soldiers.
In 1506, Pope Julius II established the Pontifical Swiss Guard, making it among the oldest military units in continuous operation.
This colourful combat unit may practise traditions that are centuries old, but their equipment and training must be constantly updated to meet new challenges and keep up with the latest developments in security techniques.
In addition to the swords and halberds, the Swiss Guards have tear gas and firearms for use in emergency situations.
Primarily, the Swiss Guard is responsible for protecting the pope and the Apostolic Palace and carry out its duties under the motto Acriter et Fideliter, which translates into English as "fiercely and faithfully".
The Swiss Guard, with the Pontifical Gendarmerie, the former police force of the Vatican city, are responsible for ensuring the safety of the pope within and outside the Vatican and for accompanying him on all his public engagements.
Originally a contingent of 110 men, the Swiss Guard increased its numbers to 135 guards in 2015 in response to increased demand for their services.
The guards also carry out ceremonial duties as honour guards during papal liturgies and other Vatican events, such as receptions for heads of state and monarchs, and audiences.
A unique uniform
The most common Swiss Guard uniform is the blue duty uniform, but they are mostly associated with their red, yellow and blue striped ensemble. These colourful costumes are called Gala uniforms and are worn when guards take up more ceremonial duties.
The Gala uniform has been worn by Swiss Guards since 1910. In keeping with tradition, the ostrich-feathered morion helmets worn by Swiss Guards still hold the family symbol of Pope Julius II, the oak tree.
Who can become a Swiss Guard?
Each recruit must be a single male of Swiss citizenship. They must measure at least 1.73m tall and be between the ages of 19 and 30. They must be educated and hold either a high school degree or a professional diploma.
Each recruit must be a devoted Roman Catholic and their application must be endorsed by their local parish priest.
Basic military training is completed in Switzerland, followed by a five-week induction training course in Rome.
After this first training period Swiss soldiers are called Halberdier, in reference to the primary weapons – halberds – used by Swiss mercenaries in the 14th and 15th centuries.
When training is complete, Halberdiers are sworn in and they and their families are invited to a private audience with the pope.
Once a Halberdier’s contract begins, which is a minimum of 25 months, they are required to attend Italian language classes.
By the end of their first year of service, the soldiers are ready to take up guard duty at the main gates of the Vatican.
The Guard's May Ceremony
The swearing-in ceremony for new guards is traditionally held in May, commemorating the 147 Swiss Guards guards killed in battle with the Holy Roman Empire in 1527 as they defended Pope Clement VII during the sack of Rome. Because of their act of heroism the pope was able to safely flee through hidden tunnels emerging from the Vatican.
But because of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy in early 2020, the ceremony was postponed to October 4, where the 38 new guards were sworn in.
It was also a proud moment for the Filipino Catholic community because it was the first time a soldier with Filipino origins became a papal guard. Filipino-Swiss Lt Vincent Luthi was one of the 38 new members sworn in.
The specs
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Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
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MATCH INFO
Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
Pakistan 240
Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
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Tottenham (Alli 61'), Davies (70')
Red card Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle)
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
The major Hashd factions linked to Iran:
Badr Organisation: Seen as the most militarily capable faction in the Hashd. Iraqi Shiite exiles opposed to Saddam Hussein set up the group in Tehran in the early 1980s as the Badr Corps under the supervision of the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The militia exalts Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but intermittently cooperated with the US military.
Saraya Al Salam (Peace Brigade): Comprised of former members of the officially defunct Mahdi Army, a militia that was commanded by Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr and fought US and Iraqi government and other forces between 2004 and 2008. As part of a political overhaul aimed as casting Mr Al Sadr as a more nationalist and less sectarian figure, the cleric formed Saraya Al Salam in 2014. The group’s relations with Iran has been volatile.
Kataeb Hezbollah: The group, which is fighting on behalf of the Bashar Al Assad government in Syria, traces its origins to attacks on US forces in Iraq in 2004 and adopts a tough stance against Washington, calling the United States “the enemy of humanity”.
Asaeb Ahl Al Haq: An offshoot of the Mahdi Army active in Syria. Asaeb Ahl Al Haq’s leader Qais al Khazali was a student of Mr Al Moqtada’s late father Mohammed Sadeq Al Sadr, a prominent Shiite cleric who was killed during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba: Formed in 2013 to fight alongside Mr Al Assad’s loyalists in Syria before joining the Hashd. The group is seen as among the most ideological and sectarian-driven Hashd militias in Syria and is the major recruiter of foreign fighters to Syria.
Saraya Al Khorasani: The ICRG formed Saraya Al Khorasani in the mid-1990s and the group is seen as the most ideologically attached to Iran among Tehran’s satellites in Iraq.
(Source: The Wilson Centre, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation)
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
