Quote Of The Day: Pope Francis Calls Vaccinations “An Act Of Love”

Pope Francis and church officials from around the world came together to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19 in a new public service ad.

In the commercial, produced by the nonprofit group the Ad Council, the Pope urges people to get inoculated against the virus, saying vaccinations are a moral responsibility and emblematic of a foundational element of Catholicism: the common good.

“Getting the vaccines that are authorized by the respective authorities is an act of love. And helping the majority of people to do so is an act of love” — Pope Francis

Pope Francis joined leaders from churches in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil and other nations for the video message. Speaking in Spanish (with English subtitles), his voice is the most powerful yet to push for vaccinations.

It comes as others within the church have come out strongly in favor of the vaccines. San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy closed the loophole that would allow some of his congregants to dodge local vaccine mandates on the grounds of a religious exemption. He said the COVID vaccines are “perfectly consistent with the Catholic faith.”

Some of those who oppose the vaccines do so because they say it goes against their faith. Having the leader of the Catholic Church speak out in support of vaccination could encourage followers to change their minds and get the shot.

Pope Francis also said this in the ad:

“Thanks to God’s grace and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from Covid-19. They bring hope to end the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we collaborate with one another.”

You can watch the entire message above, and we encourage you to do so and share it with others.