Ground-breaking documentary about Vatican Swiss Guard receives critical appraise at premiere

Resounding success greeted the documentary “Honour in Armor” about the Swiss Guard produced by Rome Reports. For the first time ever, unknown episodes in the history of this army are brought to light; such as secret missions carried out during the Nazi occupation of Rome in World War II.

The head of Vatican diplomacy, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, and the Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops, Cardinal Robert Prevost, presided over the event.

“I have great appreciation for the respect, for the formation they receive, for what their presence, especially as the guard of the Holy Father, which gives great, if you will, security, on many levels,” said Cardinal Robert.

“Once again, from the tradition as well as the presence at every moment of the pope’s travels, the pope’s residence, the pope’s movement, I have the privilege of having contact with them frequently because of my meetings with the Holy Father.”

The documentary also reflects the life of this small army from the inside. Veterans, parents and wives of the guards explain the commitment of those who swear to give their lives for the pope.

The documentary is written by Sean-Patrick Lovett and directed by Jesus Garces Lambert.

“My idea is that this is a transformative and immersive experience. The Swiss Guards are in wonderful places that are not accessible to the public or the cameras,” said Jesus.

“I’m trying to transport the public to the universe of the Vatican, which is like a time machine. It’s like transporting them to back to 1500 in these wonderful places that have some of the most important works of art and that are not accessible to the public but where there is a Swiss guard.

“My idea is that the viewer is there next to this Swiss guard all the time and breathing the history.”

The production was sponsored by the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Doctor Ramon Tallaj Foundation and WaterStone Group.

“I believe it is important that we tell our story forcefully and truthfully,” said Barry Jackson from the Pontificial Mission Societies.

“And when we’re talking about the Swiss Guard and the role they play in the church and for the Holy Father, when I think about Rome Reports, which spends a lot of time focusing on telling the story of the church, I felt compelled to be involved with this.”

This new two-part documentary will premiere in prime time on Swiss public television on 11 December, before being broadcast in many other countries around the world.