Noble Guard
The Noble Guard (Guardia Nobile) is the most senior guard unit of the Vatican City. It was formed by Pope Pius VII in 1801 as a regiment of light cavalry. Initially, the regiment was tasked with providing escort for the Pope and other senior Princes of the Church, and missions within the Papal States at the behest of the Pope. One of their first major duties was to escort Pius VII to Paris for the coronation of Napoleon I. With the unification of Italy and the establishment of the independent Vatican City in 1870, the Noble Guard became a corps of foot guards. The corps is volunteer - its members are not paid for their service, and must pay for their own equipment. The commander of the corps is called the Captain, which is the equivilent of a General in the Italian Army. One of the subordinate positions within the corps is that of Hereditary Standard-Bearer, who is responsible for carrying the standard of the Catholic Church. The Noble Guard makes its appearance in public only when the pope takes part in a public function; when the pope withdraws, he is followed by the Noble Guard. During a vacancy of the Holy See, the corps stands at the service of the College of Cardinals.
|
|
