The pontifical Swiss Guard. History, trade and curiositiesKolumban Reichlin, chaplain of the Swiss Guard: "Every day of his life, service to the Holy Father has priority for the Swiss Guard".The documentary "The Pope's Mysterious Army", produced by DW Documental, has surpassed 3 million views in just 10 days since its publication on YouTube, evidencing the remarkable media interest in the Vatican at the moment, even for a secondary institution such as the Swiss Guard.
Through a close narrative, the documentary follows several young Swiss men in the process of becoming the Pope's guards: from their initial decision, motivated by faith and the desire to serve, to the solemn oath of fidelity that commits them to protect the Holy Father, even with their lives. The work shows the demanding physical training, the spiritual accompaniment and the values that shape this unique elite corps, composed only of Swiss citizens, practicing Catholics and with previous military training.
The camera also delves into the lesser-known aspects of the daily life of these soldiers inside the Vatican, revealing how personal devotion is integrated with rigorous military discipline. With direct testimonies, unpublished scenes and a human approach, the production provides insight into why this small army continues to captivate the world.
Technical data of the documentary:
- Spanish title: The Pope's mysterious army
- Duration: 42 minutes
- Production: DW Documentary
- Country: Germany
- Year of production: 2024
- Available in: YouTube - DW Documentary
