Pope’s butler released into house arrest

(Vatican Radio) Director of the Holy See press office Fr Federico Lombardi announced in a press conference on Saturday that Paolo Gabriele, Pope Benedict’s butler who has been implicated in the Vatileaks scandal, has been released on parole. Effective immediately, Gabriele will remain under house arrest in his family home in the Vatican.

The next step in the procedure, Fr Lombardi said, is in the hands of the Promoter of justice who will determine if Gabriele should be charged with aggravated theft. A Vatican judge will then decide whether he will face trial or be acquitted. A decision is expected in the next few days.

In his press briefing, Fr Lombardi also indicated that the Commission of Cardinals established to investigate the leeks had, in recent days, reported their findings to the Holy Father.