The Swiss Guard has broken with centuries of tradition by adopting new helmets that are made out of plastic and created by a 3D printer.

The new helmets are lighter to wear and, at £740 each, around half the cost of the old metal ones.

Each PVC helmet is stamped with the coat of arms of Pope Julius II, who founded the private army of mercenary troops in 1506 and was known as “the warrior pope”.

They are also resistant to UV rays – guards spend much of their time standing outside the Vatican, halberds in hand.

The new headgear was presented by Cristoph Graf, the commander of the corps, ahead of an annual swearing-in ceremony on Sunday.

Thirty-two new recruits — all of them single Swiss Catholic men under the age of 30 — will join the force for a minimum two years.