(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121231-vatican-630a.photoblog600.jpg)Vincenzo Pinto / AFP - Getty ImagesMembers of the Pontifical Swiss Guard have long given Vatican employees their permission to enter. Starting in January, electronic cards will handle some of that duty. By Claudio Lavanga, NBC NewsROME - The Vatican is the only fully fortified state in the world, protected by 40-foot-high walls. The few
porte, the arched access gates into Vatican City, are manned by Swiss Guards dressed in their colorful Renaissance uniforms and carrying swords.
Visitors are asked to sign in and are allowed only upon invitation. But for Vatican employees, usually a nod of recognition will do. The Vatican is the smallest state in the world, and pretty much everybody knows each other.
But things are quickly changing.
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This month, the Vatican is introducing an electronic badge for some of its thousands of employees. Workers will be expected to swipe in and out when entering and exiting.
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Great development for them.
This are the kind of things we all need now