That is bizarre that The Vatican even has an age of consent, but I suppose secular folks work there. Looking at the wiki entry, the age of twelve is for two 12 year olds (or 13 yos, or 14, yos - bizarre), but the age of 15 is consentual for an older person with a 15 yo (not as if that is much better). How strange and sickly ironic.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Even more bizarre, I don't think anyone but the Pope really officially lives there as a full time resident

Define Paedophilia? I like the Wikipedia version " ....a person either has acted on intense sexual urges towards children, or experiences recurrent sexual urges towards and fantasies about children that cause distress or interpersonal difficulty." Even me, a death penalty advocate, can't see exterminating everyone with an urge (that isn't acted out). Now define "children." Previous posts note that the definition varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Much of the U.S. says anyone under 18. Now define who is responsible. If a 14-year-old rapes a 5-year-old, should they be punished as an adult? How about a 13-year-old criminal? Simplification is great, but applying it in the real world leads to even greater problems.

From what I've read, Spain has a similar age of consent law of 12 for two people under the age of 18, but 18 if one party is an adult. They also allow parents to marry off their 14 year olds.