A group of 49 Vatican Museums employees have filed a petition against the Holy See over poor working conditions in what has become the city-state’s first-ever class action complaint.

The group, comprised of 47 custodians, one art restorer, and a bookshop employee, is accusing the museum group of creating “labour conditions undermining each workers’ health and dignity”. The majority have worked at the museums for years, but claim to have been treated as “commodities” under Pope Francis.