The Vatican City State has announced Tuesday it will mandate all of its staff to show either proof of vaccination or submit documentation of a negative COVID-19 test.
The Vatican has also stated that without the proper documents of either of these choices, its employees will be seen as “unjustly absent” and will be given no salary.
Pope Francis has also previously asserted his view that vaccination is a moral obligation.
The measure is also viewed as a symbolic message for Catholic believers worldwide amid the heated debates regarding the exceptions on religious grounds.
Last week, the leaders of the Mormon Church also announced that masks are now mandated in its temples. The church has also been urging its followers to get vaccinated.
“As cases of COVID-19 increase in many areas, we want to do everything possible to allow temples to remain open,” the Mormon Church said in a statement. “Therefore, effective immediately, all temple patrons and workers are asked to wear face masks at all times while in the temple.”
