Three members of the Vatican Swiss Guards, the elite colourfully dressed corps that protects the pope, have decided to resign rather than be vaccinated against Covid-19, Reuters quotes Swiss newspaper Tribune de Geneva as reporting.

Following the Holy See's implementation of new Covid-19 measures, three Swiss guards have departed on a “voluntary” basis, a spokesperson for the corps said, according to the paper.

Three other recruits, hitherto unvaccinated, had decided to get a shot but were temporarily suspended until they were fully inoculated, the spokesperson said.