Pope says he “signed up” for vaccine

Francis says that not only is one's own health at stake, but also "you play with the lives of others."

“I believe that, from an ethical point of view, everyone should take the vaccine,” Pope Francis said in an interview with Italian channel Canale 5 to be broadcast January 10.

“We’ll start giving them here in the Vatican, and I signed up. It must be done,” he said in an excerpt of the broadcast run by Canale 5.

At the time the interview was given, Pope Francis said he will get the vaccine “next week.” It’s not certain exactly what day the Vatican will be able to start administering the vaccinations, but according to the director of the Vatican’s health department already last week, everything is ready to start.

According to Crux, the Vatican has “roughly 450 residents and some 4,000 employees, around half of whom have families, meaning they are expecting to provide nearly 10,000 doses.”

“I believe that, ethically speaking, everyone should get the vaccine,” Pope Francis said. “It’s an ethical option, because your health, your life is at stake, but you also play with the lives of others.”

The Holy Father went on to recall how he grew up with the polio epidemic, and how eager mothers were to have their children vaccinated when it became a possibility.