NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN CITY (CWNews.com) - The new commander of the Vatican's Swiss Guard took up his post on Saturday, three months after his predecessor was murdered by a junior guardsman and shocked the world by the violent act.

      With little fanfare and ceremony, Col. Pius Segmueller, 46, took command of the 100-soldier unit from interim commander Col. Ronald Buchs, who had already returned home to Switzerland earlier in the week. Segmueller was commander of the Swiss Army's Hospital Regiment 12 until his selection for the Vatican post.

      Col. Alois Estermann and his wife were killed on May 4 by Corporal Cedric Tornay, who then killed himself, apparently after he had been snubbed for an award and been given a reprimand.