(Central News Agency) Pope Francis announced today that he would expand the scope of a 2019 law to combat sexual abuse in the church and hold lay leaders accountable for the state of their institutions.

The Pope's direct letter also said vulnerable adults could also be victims of wrongful abuses by the Church, AFP reported, with previous versions only mentioning minors and vulnerable groups.

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The Vatican said in a statement that the updated statute clearly states that "whoever is or has been the leader of the lay faithful, an international organization of lay faithful recognized or established by the Holy See, shall be responsible for what happens during their tenure".

The revised law "has included and will continue to include abuse and violence against children and vulnerable adults, as well as sexual violence and harassment resulting from abuse of power."

The new law will come into force on April 30.

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