Pope's Swiss Guard may allow women after 500-year ban: Reuters

After more than five centuries protecting popes, the Swiss Guard may consider opening the ranks of the world's smallest army to women, its commander said Tuesday.

"I can imagine them for one role or another. Certainly we can think about this," Daniel Anrig, who took over the post late last year, told Italian television program "Studio Aperto."

"One role or another"? What is he talking about? The role of the Swiss Guard is to be a mercenary, a military guard for the Pope. If a Swiss Catholic woman meeting the other requirements wants to be a guard, I don't see what disqualifies them.