The pope grudgingly labels "morally acceptable" what is actually a moral obligation. [View all]

[Towlie]

Vatican OKs Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines, Even If Research Involved Fetal Tissue

These vaccines are the only real hope we have of ridding ourselves of COVID-19 without the terrible cost in human lives associated with reliance upon "herd immunity". Those who refuse vaccination will prolong the pandemic and increase the number of deaths, so it's a moral obligation to the human species to get it when it's made available to you.

The pope could have encouraged getting the vaccine but instead he effectively stated that taking it is "morally acceptable", sounding like he doesn't like it but if you really must take it then he'll look the other way in his disgust. To most Catholics he's probably leaving the impression that the Truly Devout should refuse.

So thanks for nothing, pope.