COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Papal Residence... Multiple Infections Among Vatican Swiss Guard

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] A case of COVID-19 infection has occurred at the residence of Pope Francis.

The Vatican announced on the 17th (local time) that a man living in the 'Casa Santa Marta' within Vatican City, which serves as the Pope's residence, tested positive for COVID-19.

The identity of the man has not been disclosed, and he is known to be asymptomatic. He left Casa Santa Marta and entered quarantine.

Casa Santa Marta, adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica, opened in 1996 as a guesthouse with over 130 rooms for external visitors, and is currently used as accommodation for some clergy working at the Vatican.

Since his inauguration in 2013, Pope Francis has used a modest room in Casa Santa Marta instead of the Apostolic Palace residence where previous popes lived.

According to Vatican News and others, the number of Swiss Guards at the Vatican who tested positive for COVID-19 has increased from 4 to 11.

Famous for their colorful uniforms with red, yellow, and blue stripes, the Swiss Guard is the only military organization owned by the Vatican and provides close protection to the Pope during official events.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.