Vatican’s new legal guide adds offenses for abuse, leaking documents

c. 2013 Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Thursday (July 11) approved a major overhaul of the Vatican’s criminal laws, introducing specific offenses for child sexual abuse and leaking confidential documents.

Vatican laws against money laundering, corruption and the financing of terrorism were updated to respond to the recommendations of the European financial transparency watchdog Moneyval. The Vatican submitted to Moneyval oversight as part of its bid to use the euro as its currency.