/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/SUSWC2WDIZN2PMEB62QNBOFHZI.jpg "WANTED: 25 men to guard the pope. Must be Catholic. Must be Swiss")
A Swiss Guard stands during a mass marking the Catholic feast day of Pentecost at the Vatican, June 5, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo
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VATICAN CITY, Sept 1 (Reuters) – The world’s smallest army, in the world’s smallest state, is growing and looking for a few good men.
The Swiss Guard, the elite and colourfully dressed force whose main mission is to protect the pope and the 108-acre Vatican City, currently stands at 110 members.
Ahead of the 2025 Holy Year, when millions of pilgrims are expected to visit the Vatican, the force will grow by 25 members to 135 members, an increase of nearly 23%.
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In order to help with the recruitment, the Swiss Guard have opened a new media office and contact point in Switzerland, according to a statement released by the Guard on Thursday.
It will also coordinate the work of an existing recruitment office in Switzerland, foundations…
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