It was paused during the Jubilee in 2025 and slowed down by the change of pontificate.
Now, it has finally received the approval of the Holy See, and should soon obtain that of UNESCO. This is essential since Vatican City is a World Heritage Site recognized by the organization.
The project is ambitious: It plans to almost entirely demolish the current Swiss Guard buildings, located at the foot of the Apostolic Palace.
Unsuitable and dilapidated, the building is currently unable to accommodate the soldiers in a dignified manner, especially since Francis increased their numbers in 2018 from 110 to 135.
The exterior façade of the barracks, a few meters from the Apostolic Palace, will be preserved.
However, the new complex, which will have five floors instead of the current three, will allow for the creation of 81 single rooms, 18 double rooms, 11 studios for non-commissioned officers, and 21 apartments for families.
The whole complex will be located in a modern barracks. This is an essential development to enable members of the papal army to live and work properly in this small area of Vatican territory known as the “Swiss Quarter.”
The aim is for work on the barracks to begin in 2027. “We’re very focused on this,” emphasizes Jean-Pierre Roth, president of the foundation in charge of the construction.
An anniversary gift?
He points out that May 6, 2027, will mark the 500th anniversary of the Sack of Rome and the sacrifice of 147 Swiss Guards who died defending Pope Clement VII. “This is an extremely important moment for the Swiss Guard,” insists Jean-Pierre Roth, who would like to see “tangible signs” of the start of construction by that date.
A costly project
The only downside is that the Foundation has announced a significant increase in construction costs, from 45 million Swiss francs (~$58 million) to nearly 70 million Swiss francs (~$90 million).
This is due to the addition of several extra costs, including the expense of maintaining the original exterior façade, which was not included in the initial project, and the cost of renovating the Passetto, the guard walkway above the barracks.
Added to this is an increase in construction costs in Italy, estimated at 11 million Swiss francs, and a provision of 5 million Swiss francs to cover any other unforeseen costs.
The Foundation for the Construction of the Barracks had already raised the 45 million Swiss francs provided for in the initial budget.
The Swiss Confederation and the cantons contributed 20%, foundations financed 32% of the sum, the Swiss Church 10%, and private donors 34%. They’re now counting on new donations to reach the 70 million Swiss franc mark.
To meet this significant challenge, the Foundation plans to launch its first fundraising campaign outside Switzerland.
The campaign will target donors in neighboring countries, particularly France, Germany, and Italy, as well as the United States.
In practice, donations from abroad were already possible, but the Foundation now wants to mobilize more directly those who are likely to support the papal army. “The safety of the Holy Father is a cause that concerns not only Switzerland,” notes Jean-Pierre Roth.