Swiss Guards at the Vatican City?

Question

I recently went and visited the Vatican City and I over-heard a guide explaining what was required to be come a swiss guard and that the birth rate in the city is around 2 a year due to the swiss guards going out, if a child is born and a Swiss Guard is the Dada, they are by default a Vatican City Citizen. Now this is where I'm stuck..

My partner reckons the guide said they are only allowed to leave the City 5 nights a month where as I'm sure he said they are only allowed to leave the City 5 nights a year, during these 5 nights they can do anything they want as long as they are back within the City walls by 2am and in their dorm by 4am.

I'm also basing this on; if there are 188 guards and all of them are allowed out 5 nights a month. They we be sleeping with women and the birth rate will be a hell of a lot higher then 2 a year.

Anyonr know what it actually is?

Answer 1

I think you've both got your facts a little mixed up. Swiss Guard privates are not allowed to marry, but other ranks are, and some may bring their families to live in Vatican City. These families occasionally have babies, born in Vatican City. But there are other married couples working in Vatican City, who being normal people also have babies, and this is where the birth rate of 2 per year comes from. Babies born to parents working Vatican City do generally become Vatican State citizens for the time they are living there.



It's highly unlikely that a Swiss Guard would father a child out of wedlock as recruits must be staunch Catholics with very good reputations, therefore celibacy is valued. Apartments in Vatican City are at a premium so Guards must be at least 25 before they marry, have served at least three years and commit themselves to a further three years, and be at least the rank of a Corporal. If a Swiss Guard has a baby to a woman he is not married to, there is no way that child will become a Vatican Citizen, if only because the mother would not be associated Vatican City but living and working somewhere else. It's also possible the Guard himself would be sent back to Switzerland if this event occurred.



Guards have a five week recruitment period, and are not allowed out during this time. I think this is where you got a bit confused, as there is nothing stopping them from having time off just like any other soldier.

Answer 2

Swiss guards at the Vatican? It's obviously all about guarding the gold that the Nazis stole from the Jews and that the Vatican has fleeced from its poverty stricken believers.