VATICAN – The Vatican on Wednesday began offering free vaccinations against COVID-19 to homeless people in Rome.
Vaccinations took place in the atrium of Paul VI Hall, the huge auditorium where weekly general papal hearings take place, but which was largely disused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They were overseen by 57-year-old Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Polish head of the papal charity, who took on an important personal role in caring for the homeless in Rome.
About 25 homeless people who are cared for in office facilities have received their first dose and more groups will be vaccinated in the coming days, a statement said.
Last week, both Pope Francis, 84, and former Pope Benedict, 93, received the first dose of vaccine.
Pope Francis said in a television interview earlier this month that everyone should receive a jab.
“It’s an ethical choice, because you play with your health, with your life, but you also play with the lives of others,” he told Italian television channel Canale 5.
Under Francis, the Vatican set up a number of structures to help Rome’s homeless population, including a clinic, bathing facilities and hairdressing and hairdressing services.