Holy See (Vatican City) Military - 2021

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia); the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City (Corpo della Gendarmeriais) is a police force that helps augment the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps during the Pope’s appearances, as well as providing general security, traffic direction, and investigative duties for the Vatican City State (2021)

Military service age and obligation

Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps: 19-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; must be Roman Catholic, a single male, and a Swiss citizen, with a secondary education; service is for 26 months (2021)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Italy

NOTE: The information regarding Holy See (Vatican City) on this page is re-published from the 2021 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Holy See (Vatican City) 2021 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Holy See (Vatican City) 2021 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.