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Swiss Guards At 500 Photos

Pope Benedict XVI walks past Swiss Guards at St. Peter's Basilica after his weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall, Jan. 4, 2006. On Jan. 22, a Mass in the Sistine Chapel and a special blessing by Pope Benedict XVI will mark the day in 1506 that Swiss mercenaries arrived in Rome. The Mass will be the first of a series of celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Swiss Guards.

(Photo: AP)