Rather than promote a new commander - a deputy-commander of the Swiss Guard from within the existing corps of officers - the Pope has chosen two outsiders to head his elite security force. Colonel Pius Siegmueller, a 46-year-old colonel currently serving with the general staff of the Swiss Army, will come to Rome as commander, while Elmar Maeder, a retired army officer who is now practising in Switzerland as a lawyer, will be his number two.

The new commander has a difficult task ahead to revive morale inside the 100-strong army. The former commander, Alois Estermann, and his wife, were shot dead by one of his men last month. The guardsman then turned his pistol on himself and committed suicide.

The Vatican explained the tragedy as a case of a soldier suddenly going berserk and shooting his commanding officer. A Vatican judge has drawn up a judicial report. A former commander was temporarily called out of retirement to head the Pope's security force after the killings took place.

The Swiss Guard was founded almost 500 years ago. Members have to swear an oath of allegiance, promising to lay down their lives in the defence of the Pontiff if necessary. Officers and men have to be practising Catholics.