NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II has named Pius Segmuller to become the new commandant of the Swiss Guard, replacing Alois Estermann, who was murdered on the day of his installation.

      As the Swiss Guard attempts a return to normal patterns, 40 new members will be sworn into the service at a private ceremony on June 28. The swearing-in ceremony, ordinarily a public event, was postponed this year because of the deaths of Colonel Estermann, his wife, and the subordinate who apparently killed them.

      Pius Segmuller, 46, was born in the canton of Lucerne. He is married, with two children. As his deputy, the Pope has designated Elmar Theodor Mader, 34.

      The acting commandant of the Swiss Guard, Roland Buchs-- who had come out of retirement to fill his former position in the wake of the killings-- issued a statement commending the new leader and promising that the Swiss Guard would enter the 21st century with new strength and unchanging loyalty to the Holy See.