On March 29 , 2019 , one month after a historic Vatican sex abuse summit was held , Pope Francis issued a new Vatican City law requiring Vatican City officials , including those in the Roman Curia , and foreign nuncios affiliated with the Vatican government , to report sex abuse . Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to 5,000 euros ( about $ 5,600 ) or , in the case of a Vatican gendarme , up to six months in prison . The statue of limitations was also increased from 4 years to 20 years and any Vatican employee found guilty will be dismissed on a mandatory basis . On May 9 , 2019 , a new law was issued to male and female church workers not just in the Vatican , but throughout the world to disclose any report of sex abuse
historic Vatican sex abuse summit
Vatican sexual abuse summit
Law of Vatican City