Pope Benedict XVI walks past Swiss Guards at St. Peter's Basilica after his weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall, Jan. 4, 2006. On Jan. 22, a Mass in the Sistine Chapel and a special blessing by Pope Benedict XVI will mark the day in 1506 that Swiss mercenaries arrived in Rome. The Mass will be the first of a series of celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Swiss Guards.
New recruits of the Pope's elite military corps, the Swiss Guards, wait for the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, May 6, 2005. The guards swear to "loyally serve the Pope, sacrificing - if necessary - their life in his defense." The swearing-in ceremony is held each May 6, the anniversary of the day in 1527 when 147 Swiss Guards died while protecting Pope Clement VII during the sack of Rome.
Alabardas, the historic weapons of the Swiss guards, are seen during the swearing in ceremony for new members of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard, on May 6, 2005 in Vatican City.
New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard stand at attention during the swearing in ceremony for new members at the Cortile of Saint Damaso on May 6, 2005 in Vatican City.
New recruits of the Pope's elite military corps, the Swiss Guards, wait for the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, May 6, 2005.
New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march at the swearing in ceremony for new members on May 6, 2005 in Vatican City.
Off-duty Swiss Guard Adrian Oesch, right, enjoys the sun at a street cafe in Rome, Italy, May 4, 2004, with his girlfriend Daniela, left, and colleague Marco Honegger, center.
Vice commander of the Swiss Guards Jean Daniel Pitteloud is seen during an exercise of Swiss Guards at the Vatican City, May 1, 2004.
Italian tailor Ety Ciconi, seen reflected in a mirror, works on the details of a Swiss Guards uniform in Vatican City, April 30, 2004.
Swiss Guards salute each other prior to the changing of the guard at the Vatican City gateway known as dell' Arco delle Campane on April 29, 2004.
A Swiss Guard talks on the phone at the Portone di Bronzo entrance to Vatican City, April 29, 2004.
Two Swiss Guards work out in their quarter of the Vatican City, April 29, 2004.
Swiss Guards control the Sant'Anna gateway of the Vatican City, April 29, 2004.
A Swiss Guard on duty at the monitors to the Sant' Anna gateway of the Vatican City, April 29, 2004.
Three Swiss Guards sit opposite their Italian language teacher in the library of the Swiss Guards at Vatican City, April 30, 2004.
Swiss Guards help each other dress in their traditional uniforms at Vatican City, May 1, 2004.
A Swiss Guards on a break relaxes with a book at Vatican City, April 29, 2004.
A Swiss Guard checks his uniform in a mirror at Vatican City, May 6, 2002.
A Swiss Guard passes a halberd to a colleague at Vatican City, May 6, 2002.
Swiss Guards help each other get into their traditional uniforms at Vatican City, May 6, 2002.