Labor Trouble

The Vatican's 450-year-old corps of Swiss Guards carry medieval halberds and wear red-yellow-and-blue uniforms designed by Michelangelo. But they suffer from the cost of living just as much as floorwalkers or bus drivers. Last week, in an open letter sent to Rome newspapers, guardsmen asked the Holy See for a pay raise.

Oldtimers in the ceremonial guard (currently six officers, 113 men) were in open resentment of the fact that the rival Papal Gendarmes get higher wages. Sixteen new recruits (who must be Roman Catholic Swiss, 19 to 25 when they enter the corps, may not marry until they leave it or become officers) wasted no time arguing. They packed up for Switzerland.

The Vatican thought it had a pretty good case: besides their monthly salary of 41,000 lire ($50), the guards get free quarters, uniforms, food, cigarettes and beer. That makes them better off financially than the average Italian civil servant. Also, unlike the Papal Gendarmes, who maintain order inside Vatican City, they have no police duties.* To avoid discontent, however, the Vatican released the 16 complaining recruits from the terms of their enlistment contracts. It is also giving thought to increasing the allowances of the guards who remain.

* Though once the Swiss Guard was the elite of the papal armies. Their greatest historic moment came in. 1527, when they were almost annihilated on the steps of Saint Peter's by the army of Charles, Duke of Bourbon--but their delaying action probably saved the life of Pope Clement VII. Recent Popes have not needed such protection. In July, 1914, while Pope Pius X was still hoping that Europe's differences could be settled without war, the Guard commander proposed mounting a gun on St. Peter's roof. Said Pius: "Shooting might frighten the Holy Ghost away, Commander. Don't let's have any noise."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.