Four Swiss Guards Test Positive For Covid-19 As Pope Is Seen Flouting Mask Mandate

The four Swiss Guard tested positive over the weekend after presenting with mild symptoms, and have been isolating while the people they have been in contact with are traced, according to Reuters.

Three other Vatican residents tested positive over the last few weeks, in addition to roughly a dozen Vatican officials who were infected in the early months of the global pandemic, according to the L.A. Times.

Pope Francis has been seen multiple times without a mask, despite losing part of one lung during an illness when he was young.

On Monday Pope Francis met with Australian Cardinal George Pell, both were maskless during the meeting in the Pope’s private study, and last week the Pope socialized with the crowd after his Wednesday general audience, shaking hands with clerics and greeting the faithful, all without wearing a mask, according to the Times.

Some Vatican officials have theorized that Pope Francis’ prior illness causes difficulty breathing, which may be why the Pope chooses not to wear a mask in large spaces – according to Reuters he has worn one when traveling in a car between venues.

Italian health experts met Monday to discuss nationwide restrictions meant to target the recent surge of infections, including a possible ban on private parties and restricting hours of operation for bars and restaurants, according to the Guardian.