In the Sistine Chapel at 9:30 am on Sunday, January 22, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano presided at Mass for the 110 members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard and their families. The ceremony marked the beginning of commemorative celebrations for the fifth centenary of the world's oldest active military corps.
At the same time, in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Fribourg, Switzerland, the Swiss Cardinal Georges Marie Martin Cottier O.P. presided at Mass for more than 500 former Swiss Guards.
At midday, a guard of honor composed of 70 members of the corps attended the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square to receive the blessing of Benedict XVI, thus reenacting events of 500 years ago under Pope Julius II. The former guards in Fribourg followed the event on television.
The commemorative day concluded with the presentation of the Holy Father's commemorative medal for this occasion, in the Courtyard of Honor of the Swiss Guard.
(This update courtesy of Vatican Information Service.)
