Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City
Encyclopedia
The Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano (Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City State) is the gendarmerie
, or police
and security
force, of Vatican City
. The corps is responsible for security, public order, border control
, traffic control, criminal investigation
, and other general police duties in Vatican City. A small number of the corps' officers travel with the pope to provide close-in security for the pontiff. The corps has 130 personnel and is a part of the Security and Civil Defense Services Department (which also includes the Vatican Fire Brigade), an organ of the Governorate of Vatican City.
The corps is led by an Inspector General
, currently Domenico Giani
, who replaced the long-serving Camillo Cibin
in June, 2006.
From 1991–2002 the police force of the Vatican City was called Corpo di Vigilanza dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, and from 1970–1991 it was known as the Central Security Office. This replaced the previous Corpo della Gendarmeria, which was founded by Pope Pius VII
in 1816 and was a unit in the military of Vatican City until Pope Paul VI
reduced the Holy See's military to only the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Prior to 1970 the former Corpo della Gendarmeria wore elaborate ceremonial uniforms of nineteenth century origin, while the present-day gendarmerie wear dark blue modern police uniforms.
To qualify as a gendarme, a person must be between the ages of 20 to 25, hold Italian citizenship, and have at least two years of training in Italian policework.
Since 1977, the oratory
of San Pellegrino in Vaticano
serves as the chapel of the Gendarmerie. The church previously served as the chapel of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
, not Vatican City State.
The Swiss guard are responsible for the security of the Pope, dignitaries and all papal buildings, not the Vatican.
Gendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
, or police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
and security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
force, of Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
. The corps is responsible for security, public order, border control
Border control
Border controls are measures used by a country to monitor or regulate its borders.The control of the flow of many people, animals and goods across a border may be controlled by government Customs services. Security is enforced by various kinds of Border Guards and Coast Guards...
, traffic control, criminal investigation
Criminal procedure
Criminal procedure refers to the legal process for adjudicating claims that someone has violated criminal law.-Basic rights:Currently, in many countries with a democratic system and the rule of law, criminal procedure puts the burden of proof on the prosecution – that is, it is up to the...
, and other general police duties in Vatican City. A small number of the corps' officers travel with the pope to provide close-in security for the pontiff. The corps has 130 personnel and is a part of the Security and Civil Defense Services Department (which also includes the Vatican Fire Brigade), an organ of the Governorate of Vatican City.
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
, currently Domenico Giani
Domenico Giani
Domenico Giani ex officier of Guardia Di Finanza. is the Inspector General of the Corpo della Gendarmeria, the police and security force of Vatican City, and the chief bodyguard of Pope Benedict XVI. He has held the position since June 3, 2006...
, who replaced the long-serving Camillo Cibin
Camillo Cibin
Camillo Cibin was a Papal bodyguard and Inspector General of the Corpo della Gendarmeria, the security and police force of Vatican City. He retired in 2006 after 58 years of service in the security force and over forty years as its commander.Cibin was with Pope John Paul II when he was shot in St....
in June, 2006.
From 1991–2002 the police force of the Vatican City was called Corpo di Vigilanza dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, and from 1970–1991 it was known as the Central Security Office. This replaced the previous Corpo della Gendarmeria, which was founded by Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII , born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was a monk, theologian and bishop, who reigned as Pope from 14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823.-Early life:...
in 1816 and was a unit in the military of Vatican City until Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
reduced the Holy See's military to only the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Prior to 1970 the former Corpo della Gendarmeria wore elaborate ceremonial uniforms of nineteenth century origin, while the present-day gendarmerie wear dark blue modern police uniforms.
To qualify as a gendarme, a person must be between the ages of 20 to 25, hold Italian citizenship, and have at least two years of training in Italian policework.
Since 1977, the oratory
Oratory (worship)
An oratory is a Christian room for prayer, from the Latin orare, to pray.-Catholic church:In the Roman Catholic Church, an oratory is a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass...
of San Pellegrino in Vaticano
San Pellegrino in Vaticano
The Church of San Pellegrino in Vaticano is an ancient Roman Catholic oratory in the Vatican City, located on the Via dei Pellegrini. The church is dedicated to Saint Peregrine of Auxerre, a Roman priest appointed by Pope Sixtus II who had suffered martyrdom in Gaul in the third century...
serves as the chapel of the Gendarmerie. The church previously served as the chapel of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Separate bodies
Security in Vatican City is also provided by a separate service, the Pontifical Swiss Guard, a military unit of the Holy SeeHoly See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, not Vatican City State.
The Swiss guard are responsible for the security of the Pope, dignitaries and all papal buildings, not the Vatican.
See also
- List of countries without armed forces
- Law enforcement agency#Religious law enforcement
External links
- Gendarme Corps from Vatican City State.