With the recent elections of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, the world witnessed the pomp and honor of the Swiss Guard, the Pope s Army. Now bestselling author Robert Royal takes us through the colorful 500-year history of the military guard that has witnessed every major Vatican event for half a millennium. Topics include the guard s origins, the Medici Popes, the sack of Rome, the Napoleonic War, the unification of Italy, the Pope s imprisonment; World Wars I and II; and the Nazi occupation of Rome. Perfect for those seeking a greater understanding of the Vatican's inner-workings, Robert Royal s bestselling book on the Swiss Guard is now available in paperback."