Pope’s ex-butler Paolo Gabriele trial date set

Pope Benedict XVI’s former butler is to go on trial next week in the Vatican City charged with aggravated theft.

Paolo Gabriele has already admitted taking confidential documents and leaking them to the Italian media.

The 46-year-old is expected to argue that he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to take the papers in order to expose “evil and corruption” in the Church.

He faces up to six years in prison if found guilty. A second Vatican worker will be tried on a lesser charge.

Mr Gabriele is currently under house arrest at his Vatican City home after being held in solitary confinement for nine weeks. His lawyer resigned last month in an apparent disagreement over defence strategy.

He will stand trial on 29 September alongside computer technician Claudio Sciarpelletti, who is accused of aiding and abetting a crime.

A pool of just three journalists will be allowed inside the Vatican City courtroom. No TV cameras will be permitted. [More]

SOURCE

BBC