A parish priest from the Czech Republic was detained at the Vatican entrance as he attempted to enter St Peter’s Square and take part in Pope Francis’ Regina Caeli prayer. The 59-year-old priest, identified as Father Milan Palkovic, was found carrying an air pistol, two knives, a cutter and a screwdriver. The weapons were identified Read more
Despite an oath to give their lives defending the pope, three members of the Vatican’s fabled Swiss Guard have abandoned the small force due to refusal to comply with a recent mandate to possess either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or the results of a negative COVID test within the past 48 hours in order to Read more
Head of the Swiss Guards, Colonel Daniel Rudolf Anrig will leave his position on January 31. The man whose colleagues considered him a dictator is being removed at the request of Pope Francis. “The Holy Father has ordered that Colonel Daniel Rudolf Anrig end his term on 31 January, at the conclusion of the extension Read more
A young chef from the Vatican’s Swiss Guards has published a cookbook featuring the favourite recipes of Pope Francis and his predecessors. David Geisser, 24, who joined the elite Vatican security corps only a month ago, released his book, titled “Buon Appetito”, this week. The cookbook includes recipes for Francis’ favourite dishes, such as empanadas; roast Read more
With Pope Benedict XVI in Milan over last weekend for three days under the watchful eyes of Vatican and Italian police, members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard set down their halberds and went off to do some volunteer work in earthquake-stricken northern Italy last weekend. Lt Col Christoph Graf, vice commander of the Swiss Guards, Read more