ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV presided Saturday over the swearing-in ceremony of 27 new Swiss Guards, lending some surprise star power to the pomp-filled ceremony as the corps struggles to find enough young men to serve in the world’s oldest standing army.

Leo sat in a throne in a courtyard of the Apostolic Palace as the new guards in their distinctive yellow, blue and red “gala uniforms” held their right arm up in a three-fingered salute and pledged “with all my strength, sacrifice and if necessary my life” to defend him and serve him.

The Vatican didn’t say why Leo decided to preside over the ceremony, though he had attended it in years past as a cardinal. The corps’ commander, Col. Christoph Graf, told the recruits, their family members and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter that it was the first time a pope had presided since 1968.

The corps is on something of a publicity campaign, showing off new uniforms this week for formal occasions and planning a renewed fundraising push next year to renovate their cramped, outdated barracks.

In an off-the-cuff greeting, Leo thanked the men for their dedication and said it was an important sign in today’s world, especially for young people.

“It makes us understand the importance of discipline, of sacrificing to live our faith in a way that truly speaks to everyone every day, of the value of giving our lives, of serving and thinking of others,” he said.

In an off-the-cuff greeting, Leo thanked the men for their dedication and said it was an important sign in today’s world, especially for young people.

“It makes us understand the importance of discipline, of sacrificing to live our faith in a way that truly speaks to everyone every day, of the value of giving our lives, of serving and thinking of others,” he said.