July 28, 2010. Joseph Schmidt died in Rome July 28, 2010. This is his last interview.

Right here in this same square, 500 years ago, the world’s smallest army pledged its loyalty to the head of the Catholic Church.

Back then, terrorism didn’t exist and driving in a Popemobile had yet to replace being carried aloft on a chair. Yet, as veteran Swiss Guard Josef Schmidt recalls, the pontiff still faced significant threats.

Josef Schmidt
Former Swiss Guard
“It all began with Pope Julius II, … [More]