"After posting here on this subject I immediately went back to my relatives in Italy to inquire about how things are shaping up back in Vatican City.
The news is starting to make sense now.
The Pope has been infuriated with the new Gulf War and President Bush. His emissary, has met with President Bush last week to discuss what the Pope calls an "unjustified war". From the discussions of the meeting it was clear that President Bush firmly rejected the Vatican's position and any proposed offer of political asylum in Baghdad for Iraqi war criminals- up to and including Saddam Hussein himself.
The Pope, meanwhile, is attempting to negotiate an end of the war ASAP and has even entertained the idea of personally going to Baghdad to act as the ultimate "human shied" (that the US would not dare to interfere with). The Pope had scheduled trips to Iraq in the last few years but had not made it there due to severe health problems. But with the anti-war situation so critical, the Pope may well be planning to go to Baghdad.
If he does, ARMED Swiss Guards and other Vatican security forces would go with him and secure the Vatican Embassy from attack.
This is where the previous rumor started and it is becoming clear that the intent is serious. All of Continetal Europe favors direct intervention by the Pope. But President Bush is firmly opposed to any Vatican move that might jeopardize US operations as well as provide a safe haven for Saddam.
That pits US forces potentially against the Vatican Embassy and the Papal security forces, including the Swiss Guards who would be packing MP-5s, Sig SG 551 rifles and SSG 3000 sniper rifles. They would be clothed in tactical gear and wearing body armor."