The Vatican's Swiss Guards swore in 23 new recruits on May 6; 2016 at the Vatican. (Garde Suisse; Schweizergardist ).The new recruits joined their ranks in an elaborate swearing-in ceremony . The ceremony is held each May 6 to commemorate the 147 Swiss Guards who died protecting Pope Clement VII during the 1527 Sack of Rome. Then each new recruit grasped the corps' flag and; raising three fingers in a symbol of the Holy Trinity; swore to uphold the Swiss Guard oath to protect pope Francis and his successors. The Swiss Guard; founded in 1506; consists of 100 volunteers who must be Swiss nationals; Catholic; single; at least 174 cm (5 feet 8 inches) tall and beardless.