Trial of Pope's ex butler to start Sept 29-Vatican
(September 17, 2012) The trial of Pope Benedict XV’s former butler on charges of
aggravated theft in the so-called "Vatileaks" scandal will start on September 29,
the Vatican said on Monday. Paolo Gabriele will be tried alongside Claudio Sciarpelletti,
a Vatican computer expert, in a case which involved the leaking of sensitive confidential
documents to reporters, alleging corruption in the Vatican. Holy See’s spokesman,
Fr. Federico Lombardi told reporters that a pool of journalists from the print media
and news agencies will be allowed at the trial, but photographers and television will
be barred. Gabriele was arrested on May 23 and held in a Vatican detention unit until
July 21, when he was placed under house arrest. A Vatican magistrate on Aug. 13 ordered
the layman to stand trial for the charges. Sciarpelletti will also be tried, but
on lesser charges of abetting Gabriele.