Vatican: The commander of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican has been removed from his post, apparently as a result of Pope Francis’s unease at the security chief’s militaristic style, The Guardian reported. The surprise news that Daniel Anrig, who had a reputation for being rigid and “teutonic”, would step down was contained in a four-line notice on L’Osservatore Romano, the Holy See’s daily newspaper said.
The 42-year-old father of four was appointed by Pope Benedict in 2008 and his five-year contract had been extended indefinitely. “The holy father has ordered that Colonel Daniel Rudolf Anrig end his term on 31 January, at the conclusion of the extension of his mandate,” the notice said.
Anrig’s removal is the an example of the pontiff’s efforts to reform the Vatican, including the institution that has protected it since the 16th century – even at a time of heightened security concerns following unspecified threats. The Pope’s apparent discomfort with the gruelling shifts and strict rules of the Swiss Guard, which were enforced by Anrig, has been evident since his election in 2013.
