Second to the Pope, of course, the members of the Swiss Guard are easily the most famous residents of Vatican City. For centuries, this highly-trained standing army of young Swiss men has been in charge of protecting the Pope at all costs, and it must be said that they've done a pretty good job! But despite being lucky enough to live mostly in peace, the Swiss Guard is widely considered to be one of the most highly-skilled and well-respected armies in the world.
So, how did a small group of foreigners come to be the eternal protectors of the papacy? And what makes them so special? The answers might surprise you.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Swiss Guard.