Vatican army 'may recruit women'

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**Gwar!**

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8035235.stm

Women may be allowed to join the exclusive ranks of the world's smallest army, the head of the Vatican's Swiss Guard says.

"I can imagine them for one role or another," Commander Daniel Anrig told Italian television.

Such a move would represent a significant departure from tradition.

The 500-year-old force, devoted to protecting the pope, usually recruits only young, single, Roman Catholic soldiers from Switzerland.

Previously logistical problems, such as the cramped living quarters for the forces, had been cited as an obstacle to allowing women to join.

But Commander Anrig said he believed such problems could be overcome. His predecessors have fiercely opposed such a move.

The comments came on the eve of an annual swearing-in ceremony for new recruits.

The Swiss Guard was founded in 1506 when Swiss mercenaries marched into Rome to serve under Pope Julius II, known as the "warrior pope".

All I can say is, Does anyone actually really give two gaks?

Discuss.

**brad3104**

Up dog

**Ratbarf**

Its cool, I guess. Though personally wait.... wait....

I aint touchin this one.

**Typeline**

This makes me think of the new pope. I don't really like him and the stuff he says. He probably needs more body guards.

**Gwar!**

Typeline wrote:This makes me think of the new pope. I don't really like him and the stuff he says. He probably needs more body guards.

My thoughts exactly. Being a Dirty Jew (I kid, I kid, I'm just a Jew

) I actually Liked JP2, a Lot. Then they had to replace him with an Ex-Nazi Youth member? Yeah. The phrase "Sidestepping a Pothole only to fall off the bridge" comes to mind there.

**Cheese Elemental**

I honestly wish that the next Martin Luther would emerge from the Church, go berserk and 'fix' the Pope. Then we can get started 'fixing' the rest of corruption in our religion.

**99MDeery**

Ratbarf wrote:Its cool, I guess. Though personally wait.... wait....

I aint touchin this one.

yeh what he said, not with a 10 foot pole and a bag of angry badgers would i be touching this one.

**Kilkrazy**

Senor Berlusconi will be very pleased.

**Gitkikka**

"I can imagine them for one role or another," Commander Daniel Anrig told Italian television.

Wow. I imagine this guy saying this with big ol' creepy grin on his face.

**halonachos**

Adeptus Sororiatis or something like that.

**BrookM**

I think they mean kitchen and laundry work, because the church is still as fethed as it was five hundred years ago.

**1hadhq**

Gwar! wrote:
Typeline wrote:This makes me think of the new pope. I don't really like him and the stuff he says. He probably needs more body guards.
My thoughts exactly. Being a Dirty Jew (I kid, I kid, I'm just a Jew ) I actually Liked JP2, a Lot. Then they had to replace him with an Ex-Nazi Youth member? Yeah. The phrase "Sidestepping a Pothole only to fall off the bridge" comes to mind there.

Oh,. great knowledge of history.

Now has the swiss guard any meaning to you?

NO?

So why post about them?

**Frazzled**

The Vatican is missing a golden opportunity here. Since their are dressed as historical pikemen, they need to take a page from GW and come out with new editions every five years. Completely different uniforms, drawn from warriors throughout antiquity. Think of the marketing opportunities.

Lets start off:
Samurai
Knights Hospitalier
Hell's Angels
Knights who say NI!
Anbulance Chasing Lawyers
Zulu impi
Ninjas
Pirates
Famous Japanese B movie monsters (Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, etc.)
MS 13
Vorpal Bunnies
Killer Ninja Vorpal Bunnies
Killer Ninja PINK Vorpal Bunnies

**reds8n**

....hmm.... both organisations are very busy around Xmas time..... both lay on extra activities around Easter..... both open Sundays... rules of both are subject to innumerable RAW vs. RAI arguments.....

..you might be onto something here.

**Wehrkind**

I am glad I am not the only one who took "I can imagine them for one role or another," to be said with a wink and a nudge.

But I really want to ask "Why is this news?" Especially in light of the fact that later this evening, I will poop, probably while reading the IG codex. It's all politics when it comes to what gets on the front pages these days, I tell ya.

**Miguelsan**

Because the papers need something to add to the "We are going to die" flu scare so they can come with even more frightening news.

M.

**stonefox**

Neat! I'll look forward to what happens to this next time I visit the Vatican and attend a latin mass.