Swiss Guards renew their heavy headgear

The world’s oldest standing army is getting some new headgear: Plastic PVC helmets made with a 3D printer.

The first hard hat prototypes, produced by a company in central Switzerland, werehanded over to the commander of the guard on Friday, the Vatican News reported.

However, the new helmets won’t be donned at the annual swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday since more formal headgear isused for the occasion.

The unit also plans to boost its numbers to 135 men from currently 110 members.

A Swiss guard spokesman said the new headgear will replace the metal helmets by next yearif enough sponsors can be found in time.

They are produced by a Swiss company for around €880 ($957) a piece, half the cost of the old ones.

Cool look

It ishoped that the black plastic tops willgivethe pope’s army cooler and more comfortable headgear when standing guard for hours at a time.

Thirty-twonew recruits – all of them single Swiss men under age 30 and practisingCatholics – will join the small corps on May 6 for a minimum two years by pledging to protect the pope and his successors.

Established in at the beginning of the 16^th century, the pontifical guard serves both as a ceremonial unit and a body guard.

They made the international news headlines 20 years ago when the newly-named commander of the guard and two other people were found dead.