Vatican says royal commission findings deserve to 'be studied seriously’

Holy see says it will support Australian church as it listens to and accompanies victims and survivors 'in an effort to bring about healing and justice'

The Vatican and Australia's Catholic leaders say they will seriously consider the royal commission's call for sweeping reforms, although archbishops refuse to break the seal of confession to reveal child abuse.

It will be up to the Pope and his advisers to consider many of the inquiry's far-reaching recommendations, including changes to canon law and voluntary celibacy for its priests.