Swiss Guards @ St.Peter's Basilica

... so, these guys, who are genuinely Swiss, are hanging around the Vatican guarding the Pope. They, like the rest of the Vatican ( and the rest of Rome ) are ridiculously impressive.

Rome is _very_ locked down since the last time I was here, there are _lots_ of armed police / soldiers - see extra - which is reassuring. Poor sods must be roasting though - it's been up to 40c and rained for the first time in _four months_ only yesterday.