POPE Francis, 84, was given the coronavirus vaccine today, according to media reports. 

The news was reported by America, a US-based Jesuit news website, and by La Nacion, an Argentine newspaper, and written by journalists known to be personal friends of the pope.

The Vatican did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the Argentine pontiff had already said he would be getting inoculated this week.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni only said the Vatican’s vaccination campaign had begun. It was expected to start this week. 

On Sunday, the pope urged people to get the Covid-19 vaccine, in an interview with Italian TV Canale 5.

“There is a suicidal denial that I cannot explain, but today we have to get vaccinated,” the pontiff said. – AFP, January 13, 2021.