Swiss guards stand at Saint Peter's Square during the delivery of Pope Benedict XVI's Urbi et Orbi message (to the city and the world) from the central balcony at the Vatican December 25, 2007.
The current Renaissance-style uniform of blue, red, orange and yellow stripes was designed in the early 1900s by Commandant Jules Repond, who drew inspiration for the colors from Raphael’s frescoes. Headgear for ordinary duties is a black beret, while the crimson-plumed helmets are reserved for special occasions like official visits, swearing-in ceremonies — and, of course, papal retirement.
