Archivum Secretum Vaticanum

Located in Vatican City, the Vatican Secret Archives is the central repository for all of the acts promulgated by the Holy See. These archives also contain the state papers, correspondence, papal account books, and many other documents which the church has accumulated over the centuries. In the 17th century, under the orders of Pope Paul V, the Secret Archives were separated from the Vatican Library, where scholars had some very limited access to them, and remained absolutely closed to outsiders until 1881, when Pope Leo XIII opened them to researchers, of whom now more than a thousand examine its documents each year.


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Church History

Papal Conclave I
Habemus Papam (Benedict XVII)
2009 Apostolic Journeys
Schweizergarde Training (Classified)
Day of Mourning (11-09-09)

2009 Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi

Motu Propio on the Church in Rome
Motu Propio on Convocation of Synod
Motu Propio on the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation


Papal Audiences - 2009 Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi

Carthage


Apostolic Journeys - 2009 Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi

Carthage

Pontificia Cohors Helvetica
Schweizergarde

Status: Active
Country: Vatican City
Branch: Land Forces
Type: Foot Guards
Size: 800 Guardsmen
Role: Close Protection/Security
Garrison/HQ: Vatican City

Armament:

Besides their traditional arms the Swiss Guard also has contemporary non-ceremonial small arms like SIG P225 pistols, Heckler & Koch MP5A3 submachine guns and SIG SG 550 assault rifles at its disposal for security duties. Besides the Heckler & Koch MP5A3, these small arms are also in use by the Swiss military. The Guard also engages in yearly rifle competition and receives self-defense, and field army tactics instruction from the Kingdom of Austria on a yearly basis.