The revision came after repeated complaints by victims of sexual abuse and it involves all of section six of the Church's Code of Canon Law, a seven-book code of about 1,750 articles.

Axar.az reports citing foreign mediat that Pope Francis has issued the most sweeping revision to Catholic Church law in four decades, toughening regulations for clerics who abuse minors and vulnerable adults, commit fraud or ordain women.

The revision, which has been in the works since 2009, involves all of section six of the Church's Code of Canon Law, a seven-book code of about 1,750 articles.

The purpose of the revision, wrote Francis in introducing the changes, is "restoration of justice, the reform of the offender, and the repair of scandal."