Pope reels out how to report sexual abuse in Catholic

Pope Francis on Friday issued new sex abuse legislation for Vatican personnel and Holy See diplomats.

The holy papa promised during the landmark bishops’ meeting on sexual abuse last month that there would be legislation to address this.

The new laws require the immediate reporting of abuse allegations to Vatican prosecutors, and while their application is limited geographically, the policy shift is intended to serve as a model for the Catholic Church worldwide.

Francis also issued child protection guidelines for the Vatican City State and its youth seminary, acting after the global sex abuse scandal exploded anew last year and The

Associated Press reported that the headquarters of the Catholic Church had no policy to protect children from predator priests.

The child protection laws have been in the works for some time, preceding the February summit called by the pope, notes CBS News producer Anna Matranga in Rome.