Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guards prepare ahead of their swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
One of 27 cadets of the Pontifical Swiss Guard pronounces the swearing-in oath in the St. Damasus Courtyard at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing in ceremony of 27 Pontifical Swiss Guards cadets in the St. Damasus courtyard at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
One of 27 cadets of the Pontifical Swiss Guard pronounces the swearing-in oath in the St. Damasus Courtyard at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing in ceremony of 27 Pontifical Swiss Guards cadets in the St. Damasus Courtyard at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV attends the swearing in ceremony of 27 Pontifical Swiss Guards cadets in the St. Damasus Courtyard at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pontifical Swiss Guard's 35th Commander Christoph Graf, left, review 27 Pontifical Swiss Guards cadets during their swearing in ceremony in the St. Damasus courtyard at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A Pontifical Swiss Guards has a photo taken ahead of his swearing in ceremony, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Audio By Carbonatix
4:29 AM on Sunday, October 5
By ANDREW MEDICHINI
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV presided over the swearing-in ceremony of 27 new Swiss Guards. The event took place Saturday at the Apostolic Palace. It’s the first time a pope has presided since 1968.
The Swiss Guards, known for their colorful uniforms, pledged to defend the pope with their lives. The corps is on a publicity campaign, showing off new uniforms and planning a fundraising push to renovate their barracks.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
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