VATICAN CITY – The Vatican began offering free vaccines against COVID-19 to homeless people in Rome on Wednesday.
The vaccinations took place in the lobby of Sala Paulo VI, the huge auditorium where weekly papal general hearings take place, but which is largely disabled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
They were overseen by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, 57, Polish head of the papal charity office, who took a personal leadership role in caring for the homeless in Rome.
About 25 homeless people who are cared for in offices administered by the office received their first dose and more groups would be vaccinated in the coming days, a statement said.
Last week, both Pope Francis, 84 and ex-Pope Benedict, 93, received their first dose of a vaccine.
Pope Francis said in a television interview earlier this month that everyone should receive an injection.
“It’s an ethical choice because you’re playing with your health, with your life, but you’re also playing with other people’s lives,” he told Italian TV station Canale 5.
Under Francis, the Vatican created a series of structures to help the homeless population of Rome, including a clinic, bathing facilities and barber and haircut services.