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Video. Pope Leo XIV swears in 28 new Swiss Guards in Vatican ceremony

EuroNews · · 243 words · By Alexis Caraco
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/05/07/pope-leo-xiv-swears-in-28-new-swiss-gu…

fact_checkFact-Check Results

10 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 3
verified Verified By Reference 3
info Single Source 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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“New recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard swore loyalty to Pope Leo XIV on 6 May, during a ceremony in Vatican City.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that new recruits took their oath of loyalty on May 6 in Vatican City, and specifically mention Pope Leo XIV presiding over the event.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Pontifical Swiss Guard, also known as the Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard, is an armed forces, guard of honour, and protective security unit, maintained by the Holy See to protect the Pope…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guard
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Swiss Guards (French: Gardes Suisses [ɡaʁd sɥis]; German: Schweizergarde [ˈʃvaɪ̯tsɐˌɡaʁdə] ; Italian: Guardie Svizzere [ˈɡwardje ˈzvittsere]) are Swiss soldiers who have served as guards at foreign Eu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guards
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The New Pope is a satirical drama television series created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino for Sky Atlantic, HBO and Canal+. It is a continuation of the 2016 series The Young Pope, originally announ…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Pope
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“28 new halberdiers took their oath in the presence of the Pope”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources (Ansa.it and a web search result mentioning Christoph Graf) specifically state that 28 new recruits took their oath in the presence of Pope Leo XIV.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Swiss Guards (French: Gardes Suisses [ɡaʁd sɥis]; German: Schweizergarde [ˈʃvaɪ̯tsɐˌɡaʁdə] ; Italian: Guardie Svizzere [ˈɡwardje ˈzvittsere]) are Swiss soldiers who have served as guards at foreign Eu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guards
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Vatican City had an estimated resident population of 882 in 2024, including non-citizens. Additionally, 372 Vatican citizens live abroad, primarily diplomats of the Holy See and cardinals in Rome. Vat…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Vatican_City
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Pontifical Swiss Guard, also known as the Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard, is an armed forces, guard of honour, and protective security unit, maintained by the Holy See to protect the Pope…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guard
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“the first time in over 50 years that a pontiff has personally presided over the swearing-in.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While evidence confirms Pope Leo XIV presided over the ceremony, there is no specific evidence in the provided results confirming that this is the 'first time in over 50 years' that a Pope has done so. Only the claim itself suggests this timeframe.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Vatican City had an estimated resident population of 882 in 2024, including non-citizens. Additionally, 372 Vatican citizens live abroad, primarily diplomats of the Holy See and cardinals in Rome. Vat…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Vatican_City
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Sack of Rome, then part of the Papal States, followed the capture of Rome on 6 May 1527 by the mutinous troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, during the War of the League of Cognac. Charles V o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_(1527)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State (Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano; Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae), often shortened as the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state. Rule…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
“The ceremony commemorates the Sack of Rome in 1527, when 147 Swiss Guards died defending Pope Clement VII.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and multiple web sources confirm the ceremony commemorates the Sack of Rome on May 6, 1527, and that 147 Swiss Guards died defending Pope Clement VII.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Caspar Röist (13 July 1478 – 6 May 1527) was a Swiss papal official and commander of the papacy's Swiss Guard. He died whilst commanding it in its last stand during the sack of Rome in 1527. A native…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspar_Röist
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard is the head of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. In total, there have been 35 commanders of the Swiss Guard serving 51 popes, with interruptions during 1527–1548…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commanders_of_the_Swis…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Sack of Rome, then part of the Papal States, followed the capture of Rome on 6 May 1527 by the mutinous troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, during the War of the League of Cognac. Charles V o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_(1527)
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
“the Swiss Guards are responsible for protecting the Pope and securing the Apostolic Palace.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and other sources explicitly state the Swiss Guard's primary mission is to protect the Pope and the Apostolic Palace.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard is the head of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. In total, there have been 35 commanders of the Swiss Guard serving 51 popes, with interruptions during 1527–1548…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commanders_of_the_Swis…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Vatican City State, formed in 1929, is the heir of the Papal States, which ceased to exist in 1870. Unlike those, the Vatican does not have a military, except for a small number of Swiss Guards an…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_in_Vatican_City
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Pontifical Swiss Guard, also known as the Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard, is an armed forces, guard of honour, and protective security unit, maintained by the Holy See to protect the Pope…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guard
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
“Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the force is considered the world's smallest and oldest standing army.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and multiple web sources confirm the Guard was founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II and is often cited as the world's smallest and oldest standing army.
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web search NEUTRAL — Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, it is among the oldest military units in continuous operation and is sometimes called "the world's smallest army".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guard
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web search NEUTRAL — Founded by Pope Julius II in 1506, the Guard was established by recruiting elite Swiss mercenaries, considered at the time to be the most formidable troops in Europe.
https://temples.org/stories/swiss-guard
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web search NEUTRAL — Today the Swiss Guards are among the oldest standing military units in the world. First founded on January 22, 1506, by Pope Julius II, it became known as a mercenary force when Switzerland was known …
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/popes-swiss-guards-ol…
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“To join, candidates must be practising Catholic Swiss men, single, aged 19–30, at least 1.74 metres tall, have completed Swiss military training, and hold at least a high school diploma.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web sources confirm the requirements: practicing Catholic, Swiss male, single, aged 19-30 (or 31), at least 1.74m tall, completion of Swiss military training, and a high school/professional diploma.
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web search NEUTRAL — Enrolment is open to single Swiss men between 19-31 years old who are practicing Catholics in good health, with an "impeccable reputation and be at least 1.74 meters (5 feet, seven inches) tall, and h…
https://www.yahoo.com/news/wanted-25-men-guard-pope-15160748…
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web search NEUTRAL — A Swiss Guard must be a single, Roman Catholic, a Swiss male, between 19 and 30 years of age, at least 1.74 meters (about 5’ 7”) tall, have earned a high school degree or a professional diploma and ha…
https://www.cullmantribune.com/2019/08/23/retired-swiss-guar…
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web search NEUTRAL — Recruits must be male Swiss nationals, Catholic, unmarried, aged between 19 and 30, and at least 174 centimetres tall. They must also have completed intensive Swiss military training before presenting…
https://italynews.online/by-region-italian-news-in-english/c…
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“Recruits sign up for at least 26 months.”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web source explicitly states that guards commit to a minimum of 26 months of service. No other provided sources confirm this specific duration.
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web search NEUTRAL — Once accepted, guards commit to a minimum of 26 months of service.This balance allows them to serve both as protectors and as visible representatives of tradition. The training period ensures they can…
https://www.catholicshare.com/the-pontifical-swiss-guard-pro…
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web search NEUTRAL — On the day of their swearing-in ceremony, the new recruits and their families held a private audience with Pope Francis. ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFGpofaK0VQ
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web search NEUTRAL — VATICAN CITY (AP) — Recruits joined the Vatican's Pontifical Swiss Guard, the world’s oldest standing army, in a swearing-in ceremony presided over by Pope Leo XIV. The new guards suited up in distinc…
https://www.aol.com/articles/pontifical-swiss-guard-newest-r…
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“the guards form a professional military unit tasked with protecting the 44-hectare Vatican state.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to specifically confirm the '44-hectare' figure or the phrasing of this specific claim.
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“Guards can marry after five years of service or after age 25 plus three years of service if they hold the rank of Corporal.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results regarding the marriage rules for Swiss Guards.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.