Swiss Guard

noun

1. a member of a corps of bodyguards protecting the pope, with membership restricted to natives of Switzerland.

Swiss Guard

noun

1. the bodyguard of the pope, recruited from Swiss nationals
2. a member of this bodyguard
3. one of a group of Swiss mercenaries who acted as bodyguards to the French kings: destroyed in the Revolution

Word History and Origins

Origin of Swiss Guard¹

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

In one, Francis is shown on a ladder playing a game of tic tac toe, using peace signs for the zeroes, as a Swiss Guard peers around the corner to keep watch.

From Seattle Times

“There’s only one group that’s allowed to wear a uniform at the Vatican — the Swiss Guard,” he said.

From Washington Times

The Swiss Guard is an armed military force that has been protecting the pope and the Apostolic Palace within the territory of Vatican City since 1506.

From Washington Times

He joked that he covered his eyes at a painting in the Swiss Guard’s headquarters of the 14th-century battles of Morgarten and Sempach, which helped bounce his family out of Switzerland.

From New York Times

Another of his murals depicts the pope as a street artist painting peace signs on a wall while a Swiss Guard is watching out for the police.

From Reuters