Along with the blazing-red serge uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, there is perhaps no other official ensemble as instantly recognizable as that of the Swiss Guards, the elite cadre that has been safeguarding the pope for more than five centuries. A striking combination of bold colors and Renaissance-inspired design, its signature blue, red and mustard-yellow stripes create a vivid contrast. From the uniform's high-collared doublet and tight-hugging jacket to its puffy sleeves and billowy pantaloons, all of it is tailored with precision.
For almost three decades, the Swiss Guard uniforms have been crafted — every detail overseen — by Ety Cicioni, 52, the Vatican's head tailor. These meticulously crafted uniforms will be on full display as more than 32 million pilgrims are expected to flock to Rome for the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee Year celebrations. During this time, plenary indulgences — spiritual pardons that devout Catholics believe absolve them of temporal punishment for sins — will be granted, with the pope, flanked by the Swiss Guards, leading dozens of ceremonies and celebrations.
Cicioni, 52, has been serving as the Vatican’s head tailor since 1997. He estimates his atelier has made more than 3,000 Swiss Guard uniforms. (Esma Cakir) "We've hardly made an alteration to the uniform in more than a century," said Cicioni, from his modest Vatican tailor's atelier, tucked behind the Porta Sant'Anna main entrance to Vatican City where the Swiss Guard stand.
