Vatican Swiss Guard's new barracks designed to include women, newspaper says

FILE PHOTO: New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2016. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

VIENNA (Reuters) - The new barracks of the Vatican Swiss Guard, the elite and colourfully dressed corps that protects the pope, will be designed to accommodate female guards even though they are not yet allowed, a Swiss newspaper reported on Sunday.

Nearly all of the guard are single men who live in a communal barracks just inside the Vatican gates. The commanders and married members live in separate apartments. All members are Swiss citizens.