Vatican's Swiss Guard upset over policies

VATICAN CITY, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New policies imposed on the Vatican's Swiss Guard by its commanding officer have the small unit's troops infuriated and threatening mutiny, a report says.

The Independent reported that due to Col. Elmar Theodore Mader's policies and actions as the military force's new leader, Swiss Guard soldiers have begun to complain of unfair double standards.

Mader allegedly has banned his troops from engaging in traditional holiday parties and instilled a nightly curfew, despite the fact he stays out later and enjoys a festive holiday season, the report said.

In addition, one of Mader's troops has alleged that his commander confiscated the majority of a case of wine a supporter gave the Swiss soldiers.

"We received 25 bottles of good Swiss wine but when we came back from guard duty there were only five left in my room," the unidentified soldier claimed. "The other 20 had been seized on orders of the commander, evidently for his own use."

The Independent said that while Mader has denied the reports, many under his command have questioned his actions during the ongoing 500th anniversary of the pope's Swiss Guard.