Isang Filipino-Swiss ang napabilang sa mga piling pangkat ng mga sundalo na naatasang protektahan ang papa.
Si Vincent Lüthi, 22, ay kabilang sa 38 bagong recruit ng Pontifical Guardsmen o Swiss Guards, ayon sa Catholic Bishops ’Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
“The 22-year-old grew up in Cugy, Switzerland, and the only child of a Swiss father and a Filipino mother from Santa Fe town on Bantayan Island in Cebu province,” nakasaad sa post ng CBCP.
Ang pagpapalit ng mga Swiss Guards ay tradisyonal na nangyayari sa Mayo ngunit inilipat sa Oktubre ng taong ito dahil sa banta ng coronavirus pandemic.
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, nananawagan ng manual recount
Bukod sa papa, tungkulin din ng mga Pontifical Swiss Guards na protektahan ang Vatican at ang Apostolic Palace. Ito rin ang pinakamaliit at pinakamatandang standing army sa buong mundo na naitatag noong 1506, sinabi ng CBCP.
“Members of the Swiss Guard must be Swiss, Catholic, and topnotch soldiers. They are also famous for their antique blue, red, and yellow striped uniforms,” ayon dito.
Nakipagtagpo si Pope Francis sa mga bagong guwardiya at kanilang pamilya at ipinahayag ang kanyang pasasalamat sa serbisyo ng mga Swiss Guard.
“The time you will spend here is a unique moment in your life. May you live it in a spirit of fraternity, helping one another to lead a meaningful and joyfully Christian life,” sinabi ng Papa.
Sinabi rin ni Pope Francis sa mga bagong guwardiya na ang kanilang sinumpaan ay isa ring “declaration of fidelity to your baptismal vocation, that is, to Christ, who calls you to be men and Christians, protagonists of your existence.” “With His help and the power of the Holy Spirit, you will serenely face the obstacles and challenges of life. Do not forget that the Lord is always at your side: I sincerely hope that you will always feel His consoling presence,” dagdag niya.
-Analou De Vera
