By the thousands, Americans have been seeking religious exemptions in order to circumvent Covid-19 vaccine mandates, but generally, they are doing so without the encouragement of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.

From the Vatican, Pope Francis has defended vaccines as “the most reasonable solution to the pandemic.” The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America declared categorically that its followers would not be offered religious exemptions. Robert Jeffress, the conservative pastor of a Baptist megachurch in Dallas, voiced similar sentiments.

“Since there is no credible biblical argument against vaccines, we have refused to offer exemptions to the handful of people who have requested them,” Jeffress told The Associated Press via email.

Read the full AP story here.