how many swiss guards in vatican

The Pontifical Swiss Guard is a small army that is responsible for the safety and security of the Vatican City, including the Pope, the Vatican Palace, and the Apostolic Palace. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, there are approximately 110 Swiss Guards serving in the Vatican.

To be eligible to serve as a Swiss Guard, an individual must:

* Be a Catholic male
* Be between the ages of 19 and 30
* Be a citizen of Switzerland
* Have completed his military service in Switzerland
* Be at least 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall

The Pontifical Swiss Guard is one of the oldest and most prestigious military units in the world, with a history dating back to 1506. The Guards are known for their distinctive Renaissance-style uniforms and their complex ceremonial rituals.

It’s worth noting that while there are only around 110 Swiss Guards at any given time, the Vatican also has a separate police force, known as the Vatican City State Gendarmerie, which is responsible for law enforcement and security within the Vatican City. The Gendarmerie has around 130 personnel.