Vatican official steps down in battle over security of pope

[Caesar]

Vatican official steps down in battle over security of pope
By John Phillips
**March 7, 2008 **

ROME — The Vatican official with primary responsibility for the safety of Pope Benedict XVI when he visits the United States next month has resigned in a turf battle between the Swiss Guard and a rival Italian security force over who gets to guard the pope.

Col. Elmar Theodore Maeder decided Wednesday not to seek a second five-year mandate as head of the pantalooned Swiss Guards, the smallest army in the world, according to Italian press reports independently confirmed by The Washington Times.

The disagreement stemmed from a proposal by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the powerful Vatican secretary of state, to deprive the Swiss Guards of their exclusive responsibility for security in the Apostolic Palace.

 

[roanoker]

I don’t understand. Does this means that the colorful Swiss guards will no longer be at St. Peters? I remember many years ago when I visited St. Peters I was awe-struck seeing them. I hope somebody’s ego is not going to cause them to have to be disbanded after all this time. Roanoker

 

[geezerbob]

The article said they would no longer have exclusive responsibility for protecting the pope, not that they were being disbanded. It appears to have been written in such a way as to raise such doubts about their future. I guess it will draw more attention that way.