The Pontifical Swiss Guard is an armed force and honour guard unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace within the territory of the Vatican City State. Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is among the oldest military units in continuous operation.
Conclave of Pius V, with Swiss Guard guarding the entrance (Codex Maggi, 1578)
Armor for the Papal Guard of Gregory XIII, c. 1580s (Higgins Armory Museum)
A member of the Swiss Guard during the reign of Pius VII, c. 1811, by Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot
Kneeling salute in Clementine Hall (1937)
The Holy See, also called the See of Rome, Petrine See or Apostolic See, is the jurisdiction of the pope in his role as the Bishop of Rome. It includes the apostolic episcopal see of the Diocese of Rome, which has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the worldwide Catholic Church and sovereignty over the city-state known as the Vatican City. As the supreme body of government of the Catholic Church, the Holy See enjoys the status of a sovereign juridical entity under international law.
The papal throne (cathedra), in the apse of Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, symbolises the Holy See.
The Roman States
Roman States army
The Swiss Guard on patrol