Calling all young men: The world’s smallest army charged with “protecting and serving” the Pope and the Holy See wants you.  Watching over the Pontiff and the Vatican for over 500 years, the Swiss Guard is the smallest army of the smallest city-state in the world. 

In 2018, Pope Francis announced that the Swiss Guards would expand from 110 to 135 members, making it necessary to step-up recruitment efforts.  In hopes of attracting new draftees, officials in Switzerland announced they would be adding a press office, a consultant with communications expertise, and a multimillion-euro renovation plan for outdated barracks, all in hopes of sweetening the pot for potential enlistees.