Vatican probe into leaks to conclude soon

(July 13, 2012) The Vatican says its investigators will finish questioning witnesses and the pope's butler within two weeks in the probe into the leaking of confidential Vatican documents, including from the private papal apartment. The leaks to secular press allege corruption, infighting and power struggles at the Vatican's highest levels. Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi told reporters on Thursday that Pope Benedict XVI’s butler, Paolo Gabriele, who has been detained since May 23, will be held for ``few days'' beyond the 50-day period initially envisioned. The Jesuit priest said that Gabriele is continuing to be kept in custody at the Vatican police station. A magistrate is expected to conclude his investigation in early August. At that time, it will be decided to either acquit him of the charges, or make him stand trial. Separately, a three-Cardinal commission is expected to submit its findings to the Holy Father next week. Fr. Lombardi denied an Italian newspaper report that Gabriele was suffering from obsessive behavior and had been brainwashed by a fundamentalist sect. He quoted Gabriele's lawyer Paolo Fusco as saying the layman is serene in prison and finds comfort in prayer and has no psychological or health problems. He is also allowed to attend mass regularly.
Father Lombardi also confirmed that Pope Benedict is using his vacation at the summer papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, not far from Rome, to finish the third and final volume of his series on Jesus of Nazareth. He is also preparing for his apostolic trip to Lebanon in September, as well as the upcoming Year of Faith, which begins in October.