Swiss Guard

noun

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

Swiss Guard

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

First recorded in 1690–1700

Francis fired the uncompromising commander of his Swiss Guard.

Even with a new leader, the Swiss Guard army will very likely still do its job.

In September, Francis told the Swiss Guard and the Gendarme that the only real threats the Vatican faces are from within.

The case remains a mystery and was the biggest scandal to rock the Swiss Guard.

Another theory is that Estermann was at the core of a power struggle within the Swiss Guard itself.

The reactionary clergy have succeeded in getting themselves regarded as the Swiss Guard of the throne.

You are as much mercenaries (sincere mercenaries, I grant) as were the men of the Swiss Guard.

The Swiss Guard stood firm, and, possibly by accident, a fusillade began.

The palace was held by about six thousand men, of whom some twelve hundred were regulars of the Swiss Guard.

And there are the Swiss Guard in Joseph's coat of many colours!

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