NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The new leader of the Swiss Guard, Colonel Pius Segmueller, has said that one of his principal goals will be to convert the Vatican service into a truly professional armed force.

      Colonel Segmueller said that in pursuit of this objective, he will install a new system of professional formation for the members of the Guard. That training program will be administered in conjunction with the Swiss defense ministry and will use the skills of trained specialists within the Swiss armed forces.

      Colonel Segmueller was designated as the commandant of the Swiss Guard on June 2. At the time he was serving as an officer in the Swiss army.