The Vatican Secretary of State and the Substitute for General Affairs are both positive for COVID.
Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed this to accredited journalists this morning, stating that Cardinal Pietro Parolin is experiencing ‘light symptoms’, while Monsignor Edgar Pena Parra, is asymptomatic.
Both, he noted, are isolating in their respective apartments. Both high-ranking Vatican officials had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus during the Vatican’s active vaccination campaign.
In addition, on Dec. 23, 2021, the Vatican extended pre-existing anti-COVID measures and guidelines for employees, mandating proof of vaccination or recovery, and decreed specific behaviors required to prevent the contagion.
The Vatican Press Office did not respond to journalists’ inquiries as to the last time either Vatican prelate was with Pope Francis. Both are received by the Pope regularly.
