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Fast Company
08-05-2025
- Fast Company
Why the guards who protect the conclave are wearing those crazy uniforms
If you've ever been to the Vatican or watched for a puff of white smoke on live TV, you probably noticed something colorful. Or rather, something wholly mind-blowing in the modern era of tactical military design—a troop of tri-color pantalooned papal protectors wielding halberds, seemingly straight out of a Raphael painting. But these are not hired cosplayers. This is the Swiss Guard, the pope's personal security team—and today they're protecting the college of cardinals as they vote on the next Catholic leader, decked out in what Encyclopedia Britannica has dubbed 'among the oldest uniforms in continuous use.' It's more Met Gala than military. Here's how this bold anachronism came to be. SWISS ARMY LIFE Of course, there's another anomaly at play here: Why the mini army is dubbed the Swiss Guard despite being located within the world's smallest country (Vatican City), which is nestled within Rome. As it turns out, rather than being a false eponym, the name is quite literal. In the late Middle Ages, Swiss mercenary forces were revered for their highly effective (read: deadly/terrifying) tactical fighting. Other countries in the region hired them to great effect—so in 1506, Pope Julius II brought 150 of them to the Vatican. It was a fortuitous decision, and one that would save Pope Clements VII's life in 1527. On May 6—the day in which new Swiss Guard members are now traditionally sworn in every year, though that has been postponed in 2025 due to the conclave—Charles V's soldiers sacked Rome. Of the Guard's 189 members, 147 were killed, and they saved the pope's life by ferrying him to safety through a secret passage. Today, the Vatican has a police force, which handles general security and law enforcement in the city. But the Swiss Guard exclusively protects the pope and his residence, and also travels abroad with him, in addition to safeguarding conclaves. And they do it with more than just those halberds—all members of the Guard must be between 19 and 30, Catholic, unmarried, and have already completed basic training with the Swiss Army, giving the 135-strong force proficiency with military tactics and modern firearms, which they are indeed equipped with. There's more than meets the eye in those pantaloons. And not everyone is wearing them—some guards are in plain clothes and may appear to be tourists walking next to you. 'THE MOST PICTURESQUE UNIFORM OF ALL' If you were to Google just what the heck, exactly, the Swiss Guard are wearing, you'd quickly discover that the uniforms were designed by Michelangelo, who Julius II also commissioned to paint the Sistine Chapel. And that would be a myth, which everyone from The New York Times in the 19th century to Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown has perpetuated. Rather, as the Vatican has detailed, when the mercenaries first rolled into the city, they were dressed like any other soldier of the 1500s, donning doublets and stockings. It's believed that Julius II gifted them with the beginnings of their signature stylistic flair when he incorporated yellow and blue—colors from his family coat of arms—into their uniforms. According to the Vatican, clothing had become finer and more colorful during the Renaissance, and red was in vogue. So Julius II's successor, Leo X, took the opportunity to incorporate it into the uniforms as a nod to the colors of his family, the powerful Medici, during his reign from 1513 to 1521. Tweaks and revisions were made over time, with history intervening at various points. For example, as the Vatican details, there was no money to make updates to the uniforms during Napoleon's rule, 'but some years later, under Leo XII, various attempts were made to copy Napoleonic uniforms, but fortunately without success; otherwise the splendid old uniforms would have been lost forever.' The current incarnation of the uniforms came in the early 20th century when a man named Jules Repond refined their form as we know it today (and who the Vatican notes 'was gifted with an exceptionally fine taste for colors and shapes'). Pope Pius X appointed him as commander of the Swiss Guard in 1910—and he immediately managed to rankle the ranks. The Swiss Guard had become largely ceremonial, so he brought back rigorous military exercises and rifle practice. He mandated that only true Swiss natives could enroll. And he studied Raphael's frescoes and refined the uniform, drawing inspiration from its Renaissance-era appearance. Over the years the uniforms had been variations on a theme, and by 1914, Repond brought them to their final form. Today, 111 years on, they're nearly the exact same design. TAILOR-MADE There are a medley of variations to the uniform for different occasions, and even a subdued blue 'exercise uniform' that is worn by the Guard during night operations and when working, say, the gate at the St. Anne's entrance. (The Guard politely declined to comment for this story, given, you know, the whole conclave at hand—but as they detail on their website: 'The main roads are also located there, and the colorful Gala uniform would cause too much distraction for the motorists.') No matter which uniform a member of the Guard sports, there's a good chance it was made by Ety Cicioni, the Vatican's chief tailor since 1997. As the CBC reported, the biggest challenge is keeping the uniform the same as Repond's vision despite the passage of time, and its impact on materials and techniques. Still, he and a team of seven manage to churn out 120 a year using prized wool from the Italian city of Biella. Per the CBC, every outfit is made from 154 pieces of fabric—and Cicioni has also designed costumes for Vatican-adjacent films, such as 2019's The Two Popes and 2023's The Pope's Exorcist. The one thing that has changed in the overall design of the uniform—the Swiss Guard got a helmet glow-up in 2019 when their scorching metal morions were replaced with breathable 3D-printed PVC counterparts. Ultimately, being a guard isn't all halberds and Renaissance history. In their off-time, they play on the FC Guardia soccer team, and compete against museum attendants and other groups in the Vatican Championship. They can join the Vatican band. They get to dine on Swiss and Italian cuisine cooked by Albertine nuns from Poland. What they can't do is play fast and loose with those wild uniforms. They're allowed to keep them for five years after they leave the Guard, or they can be buried in them. But they are explicitly banned from selling them. Still, if you've got $47,500, you could always try eBay.
Observer
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Memorial, Museum of Moudjahid showcase Algeria's history
ALGIERS: The Algerian landmark, which includes Memorial of the Martyr, or Maqam E'chahid, and the National Museum of Moudjahid, recounts shining pages of Algeria's history. The landmark, visited by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Monday, was built to commemorate the struggle and resistance of the Algerian people against foreign colonialism and was officially inaugurated on July 5, 1982, marking the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. The El Hamma plateau was chosen for this monument due to its historical and strategic significance, as it overlooks parts of Algiers. In the past, Algerians used it as an observation post to monitor maritime activity and the city's coastline. It was also the site of battles against the Crusader campaign led by Charles V on October 23, 1541. The Martyrs' Memorial spans one hectare and was designed by Algerian artist Bachir Yellès (1921–2022). It consists of two sections: an upper section built in the form of three palm fronds, each 97 metres tall, which intertwine at a height of 45 metres in a cylindrical structure topped by a dome before branching out again to reach 92 metres. Between the three fronds lies a platform dedicated to honouring the souls of the martyrs. On the back of each frond stands a massive bronze statue: the first symbolises popular resistance, the second represents the National Liberation Army and the third signifies the National People's Army. The lower section houses the National Museum of Moudjahid, designed as arcades surrounding the memorial dome, with most spaces dedicated to exhibitions and the rest to administrative and service facilities. In a statement to Oman News Agency, Salah Eddine Ranem, Cultural Adviser at the National Museum of Moudjahid, explained: 'The museum carries out numerous tasks, the most important being the retrieval, restoration, preservation and display of archival documents and museum artefacts. It also collects, classifies and archives firsthand accounts related to the national movement, conducts musicological research, collaborates with national and foreign researchers and institutions, gathers references, exchanges scientific and technical information, publishes journals and books, produces audiovisual materials, commemorates national holidays and historical events, and organises seminars and conferences.' He added that the museum consists of a main entrance leading to a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions, followed by thematic wings arranged as follows: The Popular Resistance Wing (1830–1919), the Colonial Settlement Policy Wing, the National Movement Wing (1919–1954), and the Liberation Revolution Wing (1954–1962). — ONA
Observer
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
HM visits Memorial of the Martyr, National Museum of Moudjahid
ALGIERS: The Algerian landmark, which includes Memorial of the Martyr, or Maqam E'chahid, and the National Museum of Moudjahid, recounts shining pages of Algeria's history. The landmark, visited by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Monday, was built to commemorate the struggle and resistance of the Algerian people against foreign colonialism and was officially inaugurated on July 5, 1982, marking the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. The El Hamma plateau was chosen for this monument due to its historical and strategic significance, as it overlooks parts of Algiers. In the past, Algerians used it as an observation post to monitor maritime activity and the city's coastline. It was also the site of battles against the Crusader campaign led by Charles V on October 23, 1541. The Martyrs' Memorial spans one hectare and was designed by Algerian artist Bachir Yellès (1921–2022). It consists of two sections: an upper section built in the form of three palm fronds, each 97 metres tall, which intertwine at a height of 45 metres in a cylindrical structure topped by a dome before branching out again to reach 92 metres. Between the three fronds lies a platform dedicated to honouring the souls of the martyrs. On the back of each frond stands a massive bronze statue: the first symbolises popular resistance, the second represents the National Liberation Army and the third signifies the National People's Army. The lower section houses the National Museum of Moudjahid, designed as arcades surrounding the memorial dome, with most spaces dedicated to exhibitions and the rest to administrative and service facilities. In a statement to Oman News Agency, Salah Eddine Ranem, Cultural Adviser at the National Museum of Moudjahid, explained: 'The museum carries out numerous tasks, the most important being the retrieval, restoration, preservation and display of archival documents and museum artefacts. It also collects, classifies and archives firsthand accounts related to the national movement, conducts musicological research, collaborates with national and foreign researchers and institutions, gathers references, exchanges scientific and technical information, publishes journals and books, produces audiovisual materials, commemorates national holidays and historical events, and organises seminars and conferences." He added that the museum consists of a main entrance leading to a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions, followed by thematic wings arranged as follows: The Popular Resistance Wing (1830–1919), the Colonial Settlement Policy Wing, the National Movement Wing (1919–1954), and the Liberation Revolution Wing (1954–1962). - ONA
Observer
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Memorial of the Martyr, National Museum of Moudjahid showcase Algeria's history
ALGIERS: The Algerian landmark, which includes Memorial of the Martyr, or Maqam E'chahid, and the National Museum of Moudjahid, recounts shining pages of Algeria's history. The landmark, visited by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Monday, was built to commemorate the struggle and resistance of the Algerian people against foreign colonialism and was officially inaugurated on July 5, 1982, marking the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. The El Hamma plateau was chosen for this monument due to its historical and strategic significance, as it overlooks parts of Algiers. In the past, Algerians used it as an observation post to monitor maritime activity and the city's coastline. It was also the site of battles against the Crusader campaign led by Charles V on October 23, 1541. The Martyrs' Memorial spans one hectare and was designed by Algerian artist Bachir Yellès (1921–2022). It consists of two sections: an upper section built in the form of three palm fronds, each 97 metres tall, which intertwine at a height of 45 metres in a cylindrical structure topped by a dome before branching out again to reach 92 metres. Between the three fronds lies a platform dedicated to honouring the souls of the martyrs. On the back of each frond stands a massive bronze statue: the first symbolises popular resistance, the second represents the National Liberation Army and the third signifies the National People's Army. The lower section houses the National Museum of Moudjahid, designed as arcades surrounding the memorial dome, with most spaces dedicated to exhibitions and the rest to administrative and service facilities. In a statement to Oman News Agency, Salah Eddine Ranem, Cultural Adviser at the National Museum of Moudjahid, explained: 'The museum carries out numerous tasks, the most important being the retrieval, restoration, preservation and display of archival documents and museum artefacts. It also collects, classifies and archives firsthand accounts related to the national movement, conducts musicological research, collaborates with national and foreign researchers and institutions, gathers references, exchanges scientific and technical information, publishes journals and books, produces audiovisual materials, commemorates national holidays and historical events, and organises seminars and conferences.' He added that the museum consists of a main entrance leading to a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions, followed by thematic wings arranged as follows: The Popular Resistance Wing (1830–1919), the Colonial Settlement Policy Wing, the National Movement Wing (1919–1954), and the Liberation Revolution Wing (1954–1962). — ONA
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The sun has literally set on the British Empire
'The sun never sets on the British empire.' Variations on the phrase have been used for more than 200 years to describe the scope and power of the nation and its occupied territories. But from a logistical standpoint, Britain gave up the centuries-long imperial distinction last October, when it reached an agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. It was a long time coming for the Chagossians, many of whom have worked for decades to regain control of the island. A joint statement issued between both countries in October vowed the deal helped to 'address wrongs of the past and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossians.' Technically speaking, however, sunlight continued to shine on at least one portion of British-occupied land for about another six months. The primary holdout? A section of the British Antarctic Territory, including the Pitcairn Islands that experiences perpetual sunlight six months out of the year. But thanks to cosmic geometry, a major chapter in world history has just now come to a close. As first highlighted last year on Reddit, the spring equinox on March 20 marked the sun's passage over the celestial equator, kicking off half a year of darkness around the South Pole. And given last year's deal with Mauritius, this means Thursday night at 10:50 PM EST (2:50 AM on March 21 in London), the sun finally, literally set on the British empire. It didn't stay dark for Britain too long, however. About an hour after dusky conditions on the Pitcairn Islands, light began to peek over the horizon roughly 10,000 miles away in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, two non-contiguous British territories located on the island of Cyprus. Meanwhile, Britain is still maintaining a presence at a military base on the Chagos Archipelago's Diego Garcia island as part of the 2024 agreement. Britain isn't the first or last culture with enough global territory to qualify for the 'sun never sets' moniker. Similar, solar-based expansionist sentiments date as far back as the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, and Roman empires. The phrase 'the empire on which the sun never sets' was first used in reference to the Spanish empire under the 16th century Hapsburg reign of King Charles I, also known as Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. Beginning in the 20th century, similar titles were frequently used to describe the United States. If nothing else, empires may rise and fall, but the sun will outlast them all—at least for about another 5 billion years.
