HOLY VAX: Vatican To Require Vaccine Passports For Visitors And Employees

The Vatican will be requiring both employees and visitors to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 starting on October 1. Individuals can also provide a negative test or proof of having recovered from the virus. To enter Vatican territory, tourists and other visitors, employees, and officials will be required to show a digital or paper COVID certificate issued by the Vatican or another country, according to an ordinance published Sept. 20.

Catholics attending liturgical celebrations at the Vatican will be an exception to the new rule. People will be allowed to access a liturgy “for the time strictly necessary for the conduct of the rite,” while also following distancing and masking guidelines. Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, the president of Vatican City State,  issued the ordinance at the request of Pope Francis, who asked “to take all appropriate measures to prevent, control and combat the ongoing public health emergency in the Vatican City State.”

Vatican gendarmes will be responsible for checking vaccine passes at entrances to Vatican territory, according to the new guidelines. From October 1 onward, the pass will extend to all areas inside Vatican City State, including St. Peter’s Basilica.

Italy recently became the first EU member to require COVID-19 vaccination for the nation’s workers. All Italian workers will be required to have a “green pass” starting next month, which is Italy’s domestic digital or paper COVID-19 certificate that will indicate if a person has received at least one vaccination, tested negative within the last 48 hours, or has recently recovered from the virus.

The move came despite significant protests against a vaccine mandate in the country.  In the United States, both New York and Los Angeles have implemented vaccine requirements.