But the unofficial story—published in the Italian press, later in The Times and Der Spiegel —was far darker. Numerous reports alleged that Estermann was in a long-term homosexual relationship with Tornay. According to this version, Tornay had become obsessed, jealous, or despondent when Estermann married a woman (Gladys, a Venezuelan national) just weeks earlier while continuing to see Tornay.
Several former guards (speaking anonymously to Kriminalpolizei in 2016) admitted that homosexual encounters between guards are officially prohibited but “tolerated if discreet.” When it involves a guard and a prelate, however, that crosses into blackmail territory.
Investigations into whether guards were solicited or if the environment within the barracks fostered an atmosphere inconsistent with their sacred oath. Modern Implications for the Vatican gaybelamiscandalinthevatican2theswissguardpart new
According to the leaked summary, members of the elite guard allegedly used coded messages hidden in their ceremonial halberd grips—tiny scrolls containing everything from dinner invitations to more, shall we say, affectionate rendezvous points beneath St. Peter’s Baldachin.
Disclaimer: This article is a work of satire and fiction. The Swiss Guard are honorable professionals, and no parrots were harmed in the making of this nonsense. But the unofficial story—published in the Italian press,
: A popular entertainment trope where religious symbolism is used to explore personal freedom and self-expression.
: Emphasizing the precision and "polished" look of the guards as a standard for modern men’s lifestyle photography. Entertainment Value Peter’s Baldachin
The most recent twist, as of 2026 looking back, was the involving Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu. During testimony, a Swiss Guard financial auditor revealed that the Guard’s own accounts had been used to transfer 50,000 euros to a Sardinian layman for “security consulting.” That consultant turned out to be a former escort involved in a homosexual blackmail ring in Cagliari.