NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CWNews.com) - The interim commander of the Pope's Swiss Guard said in an interview published on Tuesday that the elite force's morale has nearly recovered since the former commander and his wife were slain by a junior guard three months ago.

      Col. Roland Buchs told Le Matin newspaper said the tragedy has led to increased communication between the younger guardsmen and their leaders. In May, Cpl. Cedric Tornay shot and killed Col. Alois Estermann, and the commander's wife, Gladys Meza Romero, and then killed himself. Investigators said Tornay was bitter because Estermann reprimanded him and did not award him a medal.

      Buchs steps down from his post on Saturday and to turn over command to the new, permanent Swiss Guard commander, Col. Pius Segmueller.