Pope Francis Urges Coronavirus Vaccination as ‘an Act of Love’

Pope Francis has called on Christians to receive a vaccination against the coronavirus as an “act of love” and a means or promoting the common good.

The arrival of coronavirus vaccines is a “message of hope for a brighter future,” the pope asserted in a Spanish-language video message released Wednesday.

“Thanks to God and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from COVID-19,” he said. “They grant us the hope of ending the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we work together.”

The Vatican’s official position is that vaccination against the coronavirus should not be mandatory but must be “voluntary,” but this has not kept the pope and a number of bishops from pushing for people to get the jab.

“Being vaccinated with vaccines authorised by the competent authorities is an act of love,” the pontiff continued in his message. “And contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love. Love for oneself, love for one’s family and friends, love for all people.”

“Love is also social and political, there is social love and political love; it is universal, always overflowing with small gestures of personal charity capable of transforming and improving societies,” he added. “Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable.” – READ MORE