3 Swiss Guards who refused vaccination return to Switzerland

VATICAN CITY – Three Vatican Swiss Guards who person refused to beryllium vaccinated against COVID-19 upon Holy See orders person voluntarily near the storied corps to instrumentality to Switzerland, a Swiss Guard authoritative said Sunday.

Lt. Urs Breitenmoser told The Associated Press that each Swiss Guards had been asked to beryllium vaccinated “to support their wellness and that of the others they travel into interaction with arsenic portion of their service.”

"Three members of the Guard person chosen not to adhere to that request, voluntarily leaving the corps,'' Breitenmoser said successful a statement.

Three different guardsmen are temporarily suspended from work portion they await vaccination, helium said.

The premier work of the all-male corps, with its colorful uniforms and plumed helmets, is to support the pontiff. The members basal defender during papal ceremonies arsenic good arsenic astatine the assorted entrances of the tiny, autarkic walled metropolis authorities adjacent Rome's Tiber River. During the pandemic, the guardsmen connected work don protective surgical masks.

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Pope Francis, who has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has repeatedly stressed the altruistic and wellness worth of receiving the shots during the pandemic.

Breitenmoser noted that past period the caput of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State had issued an ordinance that radical entering Vatican areas request either to beryllium vaccinated oregon person a caller antagonistic test. That includes tourists wanting to spot the Vatican's treasures, including Michelangelo's frescoes successful the Sistine Chapel.

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