Pontifical Swiss Guard to mark 500th anniversary of Sack of Rome

The Pontifical Swiss Guard will hold a commemorative year throughout 2027 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Sack of Rome. The commemorations honor the 147 guards who died on May 6, 1527, while defending St. Peter’s Basilica and escorting Pope Clement VII to safety at Castel Sant’Angelo.

The anniversary program begins on January 23, 2027, with a history conference in Brig, Switzerland. The guard also plans to release a publication exploring the political, military, and religious circumstances of that period and its consequences. In April, the guard will participate in the Sechseläuten spring festival in Zurich at the invitation of the city's guilds, which noted that Kaspar Röist, a guard commander killed during the 1527 Sack, was from Zurich.

The commemorative events will conclude at the Vatican from May 5 to May 7, 2027. According to Commander Christoph Graf, the year serves to remember a defining moment in the force's history, honor its long-standing values, and encourage young Swiss men to serve the Vatican.