The elite Swiss Guards will soon don new armor while in service in the Holy See.

Catholic news agency Kathpress reports that an Austrian blacksmith in the diocese of Linz will craft new armor for the guards, the first update for 500 years.

The Schmidberger family specializes in medieval and historical weapons, crafting it since the 14th century.

There are about 110 Swiss guards, who control access to Vatican City, and protect the Pope.