Medals

1 minute read
TIME

At the Vatican the hearts of the tall Swiss Guards sometimes swell with martial pride at thought of a time when life in Rome was far less safe for the Papal entourage than it is today; of a time 400 years ago when a German imperialist army, led by the Constable de Bourbon, sacked Rome. Pope Clement VII (1523-34) fled before the rascals and many a Swiss Guard lost his life covering Clement’s retreat. In memory of this event, Pope Pius XI last week gave the present Swiss Guardsmen handsome medals.

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