Because for some reason it wasn’t already. Pope Francis also will impose tough penalties for staff who leak confidential Vatican information.
Pope Francis laid down a law criminalizing sexual and physical abuse of children on Vatican grounds. Creation and possession of child pornography and child prostitution have also been outlawed.
Via: mrwgifs.com
These acts were already illegal under church law, but are now specifically illegal in Vatican City, which is home to hundreds of people including clergy.
Via: Paul Hanna / Reuters
This is part of the Pope's efforts to update the Vatican's legal system. In the previous law, sexual crimes were vaguely listed as a crime against "good customs." They can now be punished by up to 12 years in prison.
Via: Alessandra Tarantino / AP
LINK: Read more from Reuters