I understand that, but the Vatican has the power to tell their bishops not to report crimes and there is little anyone can do about it, except complain.
The Vatican has seldom asserted these rights, they usually transfer the offending priest to another diocese.
this does not address the sickness of the priest involved or the implied lack of respect for the laws the nation in which the priest has his parish.
The Vatican can say what they want but U.S. priests are subject to U.S. law, period.