hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
The Swiss Guard have starting using helmets made with a 3D printer and tough, weather-resistant ASA thermoplastic. The cooler, more lightweight headgear is crafted in the "morion" style of the Renaissance. The new ceremonial helmets were used by the 110 Swiss soldiers for the first time Jan. 22, 2019, during a special ceremony commemorating the 513th anniversary of their foundation by Pope Julius II.
The Swiss Guard have starting using helmets made with a 3D printer and tough, weather-resistant ASA thermoplastic. The cooler, more lightweight headgear is crafted in the "morion" style of the Renaissance. The new ceremonial helmets were used by the 110 Swiss soldiers for the first time Jan. 22, 2019, during a special ceremony commemorating the 513th anniversary of their foundation by Pope Julius II. CNS photo/Vatican Media

Swiss Guard replaces metal helmets with lightweight 3D-printed headgear

By 
  • January 23, 2019
VATICAN CITY – While the Swiss Guard's halberds and uniforms have remained largely unchanged over the centuries, its ceremonial helmets are now a product of 21st-century technology.

The four-pound, hand-forged metal helmet has been replaced with new lightweight headgear. Still crafted in the "morion" style of the Renaissance and topped with a fluffy red or white ostrich feather, it is now made using a 3D printer and tough, weather-resistant ASA thermoplastic – the same material often used for automotive exterior parts.

The Swiss Guards used the new helmets during a special ceremony Jan. 22 at the Vatican commemorating the 513th anniversary of their foundation. Pope Julius II requested a contingent of Swiss soldiers to protect the pope and his palace in 1505 and the first Swiss soldiers arrived at the gates of Rome Jan. 22, 1506.

The Swiss Guard – made up of 110 soldiers – is the smallest and oldest military corps in the world. The men guard all entrances into Vatican City State as well as keep watch over the pope and his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

They also provide security and ceremonial services during liturgical events and visits of heads of state and other dignitaries to the Vatican. A behind-the-scenes look at their ceremonial and honor duties was featured in a new video Jan. 22 as part of an ongoing series about the life and work of the guard. The series can be found on their YouTube channel "Guardia Svizzera Pontificia GSP."
Tagged under:

Related items

More in this category: « On flight to Panama, Pope Francis confirms November trip to Japan Mexican bishops pray, priests celebrate funerals after pipeline explosion »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE