The Vatican had vaccinated almost everyone, including its residents and staff, as well as their families, according to Pope Francis.
Frustrations among individuals toward the unvaccinated eligible population continue to develop these days. This is more evident among public officials and figures, like Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, the pontiff shared some of his thoughts about the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the existing hesitancy toward it. He even said that he does not understand why some people refuse to take the jabs.
The Pope also deemed the situation “strange,” according to BBC. This comes as “humanity has a friendship with vaccines” for decades. He noted that children have been vaccinated against various conditions, including measles, mumps, and polio, “and no one said anything.”
Hesitancy in the College of Cardinals
Speaking to the reporters aboard the papal plane, Pope Francis also shared things about the vaccine hesitancy in the Catholic Church. He stated that there are some vaccine “negationists” even in the College of Cardinals.
During the flight from Slovakia to Italy, the pontiff noted that one of the cardinals had ended up in a hospital due to COVID-19. He consequently called the situation “ironies of life.”
While he did not name the man, whom he referred to as ”poor guy,” reports believe it was an apparent reference to U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke. He spent days on a ventilator following his COVID-19 infection. It remains unclear, however, whether the cardinal already took the jabs.
Pope Francis says vaccine deniers are creating division within the College of Cardinals and that one of them has been hospitalized with COVID.
“The ironies of life,” he says. pic.twitter.com/a8ZCB8Ie2R
— The Recount (@therecount) September 15, 2021
Encouraging people for the “common good”
Pope Francis already completed his vaccinations against COVID-19. He has since encouraged the public to get the jabs for the “common good.”
In the same engagement, the pontiff revealed that the Vatican already fully vaccinated almost everyone. But, for those who were hesitant, he said that they were “studying how to help” them.
Earlier this year, the Pope said that it is “suicidal denialism” when people refuse to get the vaccines, which are safe and effective. Months later, he declared that it is “morally acceptable” for Catholics to get the jabs, according to Vanity Fair.
Pope Francis on the potential reasons behind hesitancy
The “Vicar of Christ,” later on, acknowledged the possible reasons behind the hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccines. He cited the “diversity” of the jabs, quick approval time frame, fears, and plethora of “arguments” as some of them, as per the Associated Press.
Pope Francis then asserted that people should “clarify things and talk with serenity” to those who are still afraid.
Featured image courtesy of Vatican News – English/YouTube