VATICAN CITY
The Guardian (UK)
Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Rome
Wednesday 3 December 2014
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 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.
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. The Vatican and the Swiss Guard declined to comment.
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