A Vatican Swiss guard stands to attention during Pope Francis' weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, October 14
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
Eleven members of the Vatican Swiss Guards, the colourfully dressed corps that has protected popes for 500 years, have now tested positive for Covid-19, according to officials.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/Swiss Guard/ilj
“As a result of tests over the past days, seven further Swiss Guards have tested positive, which brings the number of established people taken ill to 11 Guards,” said a statementExternal link published on the Swiss Guards’ website on Thursday evening.
On Monday it emerged that four guards had already tested positive for the virus.
More
More
Four Vatican Swiss Guards test positive for Covid-19
This content was published on
Four members of the Vatican Swiss Guards have tested positive for Covid-19, the Vatican said on Monday.
The statement said that those who had tested positive would go into isolation immediately and would be tested again.
Nearly all the 113-strong Swiss Guards are single men who live in a barracks just inside the Vatican gates. The commanders and married members live in separate apartments. All members are Swiss and Catholic.
Prevention measures
The Vatican last week instituted prevention measures stipulating that everyone had to wear masks, even outdoors, and practise social distancing.
But some have noted that Pope Francis does not wear a mask at his general audiences and sometimes comes in relatively close contact with visitors, who are wearing masks.
Some of his closest aides have not been wearing masks at the audiences.
The Swiss Guards’ statement added that further measures had now been taken for its members, including adjusting the shift planning, “in order to rule out any risk of an infection at the service posts where the Vatican Swiss Guards are in service”.
Popular Stories
More
Banking & Fintech
UBS releases ‘hundreds’ of staff in fresh wave of job cuts
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Switzerland targets 65% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035
This content was published on
Switzerland has set an ambitious goal to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.
Switzerland cuts foreign aid to Albania, Bangladesh and Zambia
This content was published on
This decision comes after the parliament allocated less funding for foreign aid in December than the government had requested.
Switzerland to end international adoptions by 2026
This content was published on
Swiss citizens will no longer be able to adopt children from abroad. The government plans to halt these adoptions to prevent potential abuses.
Home ownership costs in Switzerland up by 2% in 2024
This content was published on
Home ownership in Switzerland became slightly more expensive in 2024. Central Switzerland has the priciest single-family homes at CHF1.78 million.
This content was published on
Six months into his tenure, Vice Chancellor Andrea Arcidiacono said he will leave the Federal Chancellery at the end of March.
Swiss Muslim campaigner faces defamation complaint
This content was published on
The Vaudois Union of Muslim Associations continues its defamation complaint against Saïda Keller-Messahli for her remarks in Le Matin Dimanche.
DRC fighting: UN reports rape and relocates non-essential staff
This content was published on
The UN has moved non-essential staff from Goma in the DRC, after M23 rebels entered on Monday. Reports of rape and looting have emerged.
This content was published on
On May 4, 1998, Alois Estermann was named commander of the Pope’s Swiss Guard. A few hours later, he was found dead in his flat in the Vatican City.
This content was published on
The world's oldest standing army, the Papal Guards, have presented a prototype of its new headgear: Plastic PVC helmets made with a 3D printer.
Renovating new Papal Swiss Guard barracks to cost CHF50 million
This content was published on
The foundation was established in canton Solothurn in 2016 to support the work of the Swiss Guard. Former Swiss central bank chairman Jean-Pierre Roth is in charge of the renovation project and heads the foundation, according to La Liberté. The Pope’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, gave the green light in June for the…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.