They also protect the Sacred College of Cardinals when there is no pope, during sede vacant (“empty seat”), such as the interim between a pope’s death and the election of his successor. The Swiss Guards are sometimes referred to as the Vatican City police, but a separately administered...
The Swiss Guards are sometimes referred to as the Vatican Citypolice, but a separately administered police force is charged with the overall security of the nation-state (except St. Peter’s Square, which is under the jurisdiction of the Italian police).See alsoPontifical Gendarmerie. ...