: Around the same time, an unnamed former guard reported receiving over 20 "unambiguous sexual requests" from bishops and priests during his service.
As of late 2025 and early 2026, the Swiss Guard has faced new internal and external scrutiny under the papacy of Leo XIV: gaybelamiscandalinthevatican2theswissguardpart new
: The Vatican has historically dismissed these claims as "not credible," though Pope Francis later acknowledged the existence of a "gay lobby" within the Roman Curia in 2013. Recent Developments (2025–2026) : Around the same time, an unnamed former
: In 2014, former commandant Elmar Mäder (2002–2008) claimed a "secret society of homosexuals" existed within the Holy See, which he argued posed a security risk to the Pope due to loyalties shifting toward the network rather than the institution. : Around the same time
