Apostolic Palace

The days of service, guards develop multiple control tasks at the entrances and in the Apostolic Palace. The free day, is used for the particular services such as the Wednesday general audiences, masses of the Holy Father or the constant visits of ambassadors, Ministers or heads of State. These days we use them to train us and exercise to maintain and improve knowledge of service. -How much are you paid to a Swiss Guard? At the beginning of the service, a young guard receives a few thousand euros. Service is unique – have ever felt to have the great responsibility of caring for the life of the Pope? A great honour to has been have the opportunity to live close to the Holy Father, the first with Juan Pablo II for 12 years, and then with Benedicto XVI in the last three years of my service.

-Do to have you removed from the guard Switzerland, what lesson you leave? Why are you retiraste? Service in the guard Switzerland can be considered as a school of life. Having made my child’s dream, today after 15 years, it is time to move on to another challenge. -Be guard Swiss you change lives? During these years I have learned many things that would not have been possible to learn elsewhere, because the Vatican is unique. Develop the service in the heart of the Catholic Church, is a privilege unparalleled. -Are you a practicing Catholic? What you feel, how you show it? I’m Catholic, is one of the prerequisites to become a Swiss Guard. It is not important to prove it with the words, the important thing is to be in life, every day. -What mean for you Juan Pablo II? I became a Swiss Guard as a result of the attack against Juan Pablo II, therefore I felt very attached to his person.