Daily Life:
Every day two thirds of the staff are engaged in mounting guard at the entrances to the Apostolic Palace. That is in the Courtyard of St. Damaso, the Belvedere Courtyard, on the floors of the various "Loggias", in the Sala Regia, in front of the Secretary of State offices, and also in front of the entrance to the Pope's private apartment, as well as at the external entrances, which are the Petrine Gate ,at the Arch of the Bells, the Bronze Door and the St. Anna Gate. The Guard serves not only as a Guard of Honour but also keep order every time the Pope is in public, that is for liturgical celebrations in St. Peter's Basilica, at the General Audiences, during visits to the Pope by Heads of States or Governments, Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors. However, the day is not only given to these official duties; there is also the life of the Guard itself, that requires a series of inspections, briefings, marches and shooting practice. And of course time must be found for various group activities: the band, drums, choir and last but not least, sport: soccer matches against other Vatican teams such as the Vatican Security Corps, table-tennis and courses in self-defence.