Pope Francis To Fire Subordinates Who Refuse to Take Covid Vaccine

In a seven-page decree, Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, head of the commission that governs the Vatican City State, said vaccination is a “responsible choice” and that those who refuse to do so could risk dismissal. The guide points to a 2011 law that stipulates that employees who refuse “preventive measures” could be punished.

The law covers “the actions needed to respond to the pandemic” and emphasizes that “the refusal of the vaccine may also pose a risk to others” and “seriously increase the risks to public health”.

A table details a number of other sanctions. Failure to comply with the obligation to wear a mask and non-compliance with distancing measures are punishable by fines between 25 and 50 euros, and violation of the quarantine rules provides for fines of up to 1,500 euros.

The Vatican began a free vaccination campaign for all its employees in January. Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI have already been vaccinated.

The new policy will allow people with legitimate health reasons to give up the vaccine, but they could be moved to positions where they would have less contact with people.

The pope criticized the Covid-19 vaccine restrictions, calling them a “suicide denial” and suggested it was everyone’s duty to get vaccinated. Some Catholic prelates oppose the vaccines, which they say contain tissue from aborted fetuses, but the Vatican has insisted the serums are “morally acceptable.”

The pope was equally critical of the controversial lockdowns. In January, he scolded people who traveled abroad over the holidays to get rid of Covid-19 restrictions, accusing them of being irresponsible and thinking only of “fun”.