Pope Francis and ex-Pope Benedict on Thursday received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

It was learnt that a personal doctor of Pope Francis, Fabrizio Soccorsi died from COVID-19 complications.

The 78-year-old physician was admitted at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital before he contracted the virus and later passed away due to his health issues.

The Vatican reported that the 84-year-old pope and the 93-year-old former pope got their dose of the vaccine as part of a Vatican vaccination program that began on Wednesday.

READ ALSO:

COVID-19: Ghana's death toll increases; active cases now 1,404

Both leaders are vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 because of their age.

Pope Francis is said to be more at risk because part of his lungs was removed following an illness when he was a young man in his native Argentina.

Pope Francis had said taking COVID-19 vaccine is an ethical choice, according to Italy's Canale 5 TV station.

He said: “Taking the vaccine is an ethical choice because you are gambling with your health, with your life, but you are also gambling with the lives of others.''