The Vatican is not taking any chances.
Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, issued a decree on Thursday (February 18) that employees who refuse the coronavirus vaccine “without proven health reasons” face penalties that can include “the interruption of the work relationship,” CBS reported.
Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent state, located in the heart of Rome, Italy.
Those who live inside the Vatican “tend to be elderly, such as retired Pope Benedict XVI, 93, and Pope Francis, 84. The pontiff was vaccinated for COVID-19 last month and has been a big supporter of inoculation in the global fight against the coronavirus,” the outlet reported.
“It is an ethical choice because you are gambling with your health, with your life, but you are also gambling with the lives of others,” the Pope said to an Italian TV station in January.
Last month, the Vatican started vaccinating homeless people cared for in the territory’s food and health facilities.
Some celebrities made headlines for refusing to get the vaccine.
