In recent years, the strict rules have been relaxed by Pope Francis, who, in the name of parity between the rival Vatican Gendarmerie and the Swiss Guard, decided to increase the group of guards participating in travels. At that time, gendarmes were always at the forefront in this respect: they dealt not only with the personal protection of the Pope during trips, but also with luggage and all logistics. From the guard, on the other hand, only officers and a senior sergeant – sergente maggiore – took part in pilgrimages in the times of John Paul II. It is a military rank, which in the Papal formation is associated with an extremely important and prestigious role. Christoph Graf served in this rank from the jubilee year 2000 until 2009, when he was promoted to captain. Shortly after his appointment as a sergeant major, he set off with our Holy Father on his first trip abroad.
– It was Fatima. Portugal; the Holy Year 2000. On the occasion of the Jubilee, the beatification of two shepherd children was held, to whom the Mother of God appeared – Francisco and Jacinta. It was something amazing. I remember hundreds of thousands of people in the square in front of the Basilica of Fatima. And, John Paul II immersed in prayer. Nor did he twitch… It was as if he was kneeling there completely in front of God. Such moments are not forgotten.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi “It happened in the Vatican”
Znak Publishing House. Kraków 2020
pages: 107 – 108
