Pope Francis & Benedict XVI Receive Coronavirus Vaccine

Last Thursday, Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni confirmed both popes received their first dose of the Pfizer-made vaccine and will get the next dose in three weeks.

“I can confirm that as part of the vaccination program of the Vatican City State, as of today, the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine has been administered to Pope Francis and to the Pope Emeritus.”

Pope Francis said receiving the vaccine is an “an ethical action, because you are gambling with your health, you are gambling with your life, but you are also gambling with the lives of others.”

“I believe that, ethically, everyone has to get the vaccine. I don’t understand why some say this could be a dangerous vaccine. If doctors present it to you as something that can be fine and has no special dangers, why not take it?”

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, personal secretary to Benedict XVI, said last week all residents of the Mater Ecclesiae monastery where the pontiff emeritus resides would be receiving the vaccine as well.

“I will also be vaccinated along with the whole household of the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, as soon as the vaccine is available.”

The Vatican started administering the vaccine on January 3rd, after buying a low-temperature freezer to store it, said head of the Vatican health department Dr. Andrea Arcangeli.

“Priority will be given to health and public safety personnel, to the elderly and to personnel most frequently in contact with the public. I believe that, ethically, everyone has to get the vaccine. It is an ethical option because it concerns your life but also that of others.”