The pope tells the new Swiss guards that Christ is always beside them

Meeting the new recruits of the Swiss Guard, Pope Francis assured them that God is always at their side, offering them comfort and consolation.

With the help of Christ and the Holy Spirit, “you will calmly face life's obstacles and challenges,” he said in a private audience on October 2, welcoming 38 Catholic men from Switzerland who would be sworn in as Swiss Guards. 4.

Normally, the papal audience is held annually in early May, before a colorful swearing-in ceremony of new recruits, traditionally held on May 6 to mark the date in 1527 when 147 Swiss guards lost their lives defending Pope Clement VII in lot of Rome.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the audience and the ceremony have been postponed. To comply with the precautions underway to curb the spread of the coronavirus, only the close family members of the new recruits were able to participate in the ceremony on 4 October in the Vatican's San Damaso courtyard.

At the October 2 audience, which included the families of the new recruits, Pope Francis recalled the courage of the guards who defended the pope during the Sack of Rome.

Today, he said, there is "the danger of spiritual 'pillage'" in which many young people risk their souls being plundered "when they pursue ideals and lifestyles that respond only to their material desires or needs."

He asked men to make good use of their time by living in Rome and serving in the Vatican, experiencing the many cultural and spiritual riches available.

"The time you spend here is a unique moment in your life: may you live it in a spirit of brotherhood, helping each other lead a life full of meaning and joyfully Christian".

“Don't forget that the Lord is always by your side. I sincerely hope that you will always be aware of his comforting presence, ”he said.