Christoph Graf | |
|---|---|
 Graf in 2016 | |
| Born | 5 September 1961 Pfaffnau, Switzerland |
| Allegiance |  Vatican City |
| Service | Pontifical Swiss Guard |
| Years of service | 1987–present |
| Rank | Colonel |
Colonel Christoph Graf (born 5 September 1961) is the 35th and current Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, appointed by Pope Francis on 7 February 2015, replacing Col. Daniel Anrig.
Graf was born in Pfaffnau, in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland. He joined the Swiss Guard in 1987.[ citation needed ] In August 1999 he was promoted to sergeant, and later in 2000 he was promoted to sergeant-major, a position in which he remained until April 2009 when he was promoted to second captain. [1] In October 2010, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and vice commander of the guard, where he acted as a chief of staff and senior adviser to the commander. [2]
In late 2014, it was announced that Anrig would leave the position of commander after seven years of service. On 7 February 2015, Pope Francis appointed Graf as the new commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. [3]
The Roman Curia comprises the administrative institutions of the Holy See and the central body through which the affairs of the Roman Catholic Church are conducted. The Roman Curia is the institution which the Roman Pontiff ordinarily makes use of in the exercise of his supreme pastoral office and universal mission in the world: thus curialism refers traditionally to an emphasis on the supreme authority of the Holy See within the Catholic Church. It is at the service of the Pope and bishops, fulfilling their function with an evangelical spirit, working for the good and at the service of communion, unity and edification of the Universal Church and attending to the demands of the world in which the Church is called to fulfill its duty and mission.
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The Pontifical Swiss Guard, also known as the Papal Swiss Guard or simply Swiss Guard, is an armed force and honour guard unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace within the territory of the Vatican City State. Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, it is among the oldest military units in continuous operation, and is sometimes called "the world's smallest army".
The following outline is provided as an overview of and introduction to Vatican City:
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FC Guardia is a Vaticanese football club that currently plays in the Vatican City Championship, the top level of football in Vatican City. The current club president is Christoph Graf and the current managers are Fabio Bortoluzzi and Antonio Maria. The team, like all Vatican clubs, plays its matches at the Campo Cardinale Francis Joseph Spellman in Rome, Italy. Despite being founded in 1924, the team has never won the league championship. The squad consists of members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Events in the year 2021 in Vatican City.
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