The Roman Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI have been given the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Vatican city.

This was confirmed by Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, Vatican city, on Thursday.

He said “I can confirm that as part of the vaccination program of the Vatican City State, as of today, the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine has been administered to Pope Francis and to the Pope Emeritus.”

Pope Francis on Sunday during an interview with Italian television station had announced that he would be receiving the vaccine this week.

 He described the vaccination as “an ethical action, because you are gambling with your health, you are gambling with your life, but you are also gambling with the lives of others.”