he's a halberdier

In addition to all of his other finery
(how about those red ostrich
feathers?), this young Swiss Guard
is sporting the civil merit 
medal—though I have no idea what 
he had to do to earn it.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

The pope's protectors

I'm not sure what makes a young man want
to join the Swiss Guards—but I doubt it's for the 
privilege of wearing that hat.  Actually, it's a
very prestigious (and hard-to-get) posting.  Since
Pope Francis fired a commandant two
years ago for being too tough on the guards, it
might be a less rigorous gig.  (Apparently, the pope
came out of his apartment one morning and
found that the guard there had been on duty all night.
He brought the young soldier a chair and ordered
him to sit, then went back in, made him a 
sandwich and brought it out to him.)

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.]

Photo Hunter — "colorful"

The Swiss Guards have been serving the pope

for more than 500 years. Their colorful outfit has 

evolved somewhat over the years (from no

official uniform to this over-the-top ensemble), but 

it's generally believed that the inspiration for

this current version comes from a Renaissance-era

painting by Raphael.

[See more here @ tnchick's colorful meme.]