TO SWISS GUARDS: YOUR SERVICE WILL BE REWARDED

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2000 (VIS) - In the Clementine Hall yesterday afternoon, the Holy Father received in audience the officers and new recruits of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. They will be sworn in today in a ceremony attended by their families and friends.

In his speech in German and French, the Holy Father told the new recruits that they had shown themselves willing to serve the Bishop of Rome for a fixed period of time, guaranteeing him "the necessary security so that he can dedicate himself to mankind and announce the Gospel, freely and without impediments."

Perhaps, said John Paul II addressing the young recruits, you ask yourselves if it is worth the trouble "to serve on the Pontifical Swiss Guard in distant Rome. Will not a young man thus fall behind in the world of work? Will he not thus start a family too late?"

"I want to tell you the truth about this," he continued, "I remain profoundly convinced that you will be rewarded for your service. I am not referring to money, but to a recompense that cannot be paid in money. However, there is a condition: You must comprehend this new phase in your lives as a call from God to put all your strength into service and communion with your companions. With pleasure I offer you a motto to accompany you throughout your service: Whatever you do, do it to the full!"

The Pope asked the guards to demonstrate "not so much with words as through your witness of life, what it personally means for you, to lend service at the Tomb of Peter. I am certain that your experience at the center of the universal Church will deeply mark your hearts. Thus, in future you will be able to transmit to your friends and family at home, the treasure of faith matured in Rome. At the same time you will contribute to further strengthening the bonds between Peter's Successor and your country."

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