New Guidelines for Vatican Employees: No Visible Tattoos or Piercings
By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Pope Francis has introduced new regulations for employees of the Fabric of St. Peter, the entity responsible for the upkeep of St. Peter’s Basilica. These rules stipulate that staff must profess the Catholic faith, dress appropriately, and avoid visible tattoos or piercings.
The Holy See’s Office released a chirograph, an official order signed by the Pope, detailing the new Statute and Regulations for the Chapter of St. Peter’s Basilica. This document, issued on June 29, outlines expectations for all employees, including those responsible for admittance, surveillance, cleaning, and maintenance of the basilica.
Employees are required to maintain an appearance consistent with workplace customs. Specifically, the document prohibits visible tattoos and piercings and mandates decent attire suitable for their roles.
Moreover, staff must demonstrate their commitment to the Catholic faith by presenting a canonical marriage certificate if married, along with baptism and confirmation certificates. They are also required to have a clean criminal record.
The chirograph emphasizes that employees must uphold exemplary religious and moral conduct, both professionally and personally, in line with Church teachings. It highlights the importance of politeness, respect for the sacred environment, and proper behavior towards others.
Confidentiality is a critical aspect of the new regulations. Employees must adhere to the pontifical secret and are prohibited from making public statements or giving interviews about the Fabric’s activities without prior authorization from the archpriest of the basilica. Article 10 reinforces the need for strict confidentiality regarding any information acquired through their work.
This story was originally reported by ACI Prensa, EWTN Norway’s Spanish-language news partner, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN Norway.
Photo credit:
St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. | Credit: Vlas Telino studio/Shutterstock
