Mario Enzler, a man who was part of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, told how to turn the meeting with Pope John II and what it means to provide guard at the Vatican.
Mario Enzler was part of the Swiss guard during Pope Paul John II_lea. Photo aleteia.org
Under the imposing dome of the basilica “Saint Peter”, created by Michelangelo, a sentry dressed in vibrant stripes of blue, red and gold, is in guard, nonstop. Although the character seems almost a living exhibit from a museum, he is, in fact, a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, a military unit that represents one of the oldest and smallest armies in the world.
The Swiss guard was founded in 1506 by Pope Iulius II and since then it remained a symbol of protection and devotion to the Pontiff, its members being known for their oath to protect the Pope, even at the price of their own life, and for dedication to the religious and historical values of the Catholic Church. As part of their commitment, they guard the buildings in the Vatican, such as the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican Museum and the Basilica of Saint Peter and have the authority to impose rules and regulations inside the Vatican walls. This means that they can stop people from entering the restricted areas, notes Dailymail.
In order to join, the recruits must be between 19 and 30 years old, a height of at least 1.75 m and a diploma or a professional diploma. The training includes the handling of weapons, tactics, personal defense techniques and psychological resistance to cope with difficult situations.
One of those who lived this experience is Mario Enzler, a Swiss citizen who was part of the Swiss guard between 1989 and 1993, during the papacy of John Paul II, the first pope visiting Romania, in 1999.
A unique experience
Increased in northern Italy, near Milan, Mario Enzler never imagined that he would become part of this elite unit, especially since in adolescence he dreamed of becoming a musician and pursuing a career in the artistic field. However, influenced by his father, he enlisted in the army, and shortly after he finished his preparation offered the opportunity to join the Swiss guard. Although initially he was not convinced, he accepted, and over the years he would confess that he was one of his best decisions, one that changed his perception of life.
“My experience with the Swiss guard – as I came to enlist, the opportunities I had and the benefits I have obtained – continue to model me. I still wear these lessons with me and I try to share as many stories and information, because it was a truly transformative experience,” said Mario Enzler, although it has been 30 years since he left the army, currently being established in the United States.
For Mario Enzler, the five years spent with John Paul II were not only about protecting him, but also about learning directly from him. This daily contact allowed the young man at that time to discover a man who lived deeply in accordance with the will of God, and this experience has strengthened faith.
“When you are there, you understand that it is not just an opportunity for a young man to promise that he will give his life for the Pope, but it is an opportunity to really understand what it means to be a Catholic and how it should or should behave a Catholic. It was an opportunity to strengthen my faith and to discover that God will follow you. the plan and will of God, as I am sure they did and Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, ”he confessed.
Unique events
During his service, Mario Enzler witnessed important, historical moments, but he also had unusual events. For example, he remembers a meeting with a man who claimed to be Jesus Christ and trying to convince Pope to leave Rome.
On another occasion, he witnessed an incident in which Pope John Paul II was almost trampled by American journalists who wanted to interview President George HW Bush, when, after a meeting, they went together for a press conference.
“When the two went out and came to talk to the American journalists and priests, I remember talking a little and then the US press wanted to ask the president about the internal affairs. They surrounded the president, to the point where the poor parent was trained. Sa, because when the president left and apologized for what happened, the Pope replied: “It is understandable.” the former member of the Swiss Guard also told.
Despite all the challenges, Mario Enzler had the opportunity to live unforgettable moments. For example, he was approached by actor Sean Connery, who asked for a photo while he was on duty.
“It was a strange but also funny moment. Sean Connery was so excited to see me, even though I was just a guard“, He remembered with delight.
After leaving the Swiss Guard, Mario Enzler continued to meditate on experienced experiences and lessons.
He currently lives in the United States with his wife Julie, whom she met while she studied in Rome, and have five children and four grandchildren.
Although he is currently working in the political field, working at Heritage Foundation in Washington DC as President Trump counselor, Mario Enzler has kept in touch with many of his former colleagues in the Swiss guard.
In the current context, when the Catholic Church is preparing for a transition period after Pope Francis’s death, Mario Enzler states that he will be one of the most important conclavic.
“This conclave is different from any other. It is crazy now because of the overwhelming influence of social media and the media,” he believes.
