MAY 6 SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF NEW SWISS GUARDS POSTPONED
The Swiss Guard swearing-in ceremony for new guards that traditionally takes place on May 6 to commemorate the 147 Swiss Guards who died during the May 6, 1527 Sack of Rome as they were defending Pope Clement VII, has been moved to October 4, 2020 because of the covid pandemic.
However, tomorrow, May 6, there will be Mass in the church of Santa Maria in Campo Santo in the Vatican’s Teutonic cemetery and a brief ceremony to commemorate the 1527 event. Normally family members and friends who are in Rome for the swearing-in ceremony also attend these events but tomorrow’s commemoration will have a restricted number of people present, respecting the rules of hygiene and safety that apply in the Vatican City State.
Following Mass, the guards present will be decorated with honors for their long and faithful service to the Holy See, according to a Swiss Guard press release.
Mass will start at 5 pm Rome time, followed by the commemorative ceremony at 6 pm in the Piazzale dei Protomartiri Romani of the Swiss Guard barracks.
Everything will be broadcast via live stream on the guards’ website www.guardiasvizzera.ch
Joan's Rome 