The Pope Benedict 16th has decided to divorce the Vatican from Italian law.
Legal experts in the world's smallest sovereign state say there are too many laws in Italian civil and criminal codes, and they too often are in conflict with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
The Pope has decided that the Vatican will therefore no longer automatically adopt laws passed by the Italian parliament.
An Italian government minister admitted Italian laws are often badly written and are sometimes difficult to understand.
The Vatican has also decided to scrutinise international treaties before deciding whether or not to adhere to them.
It has recently refused to approve a United Nations declaration decriminalising homosexuality.
By ABC Australia
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