Mountain of evidence revealed as trial of Pope's butler begins

The trial of the Pope Benedict XVI’s former butler began this morning (Saturday) at the Vatican as the 46-year-old Paolo Gabriele faced charges that he stole confidential Vatican documents.

Gabriele made no plea and remained silent throughout his appearance before a panel of three judges in the Vatican courtroom on Sept. 29. Wearing a light grey suit, eyewitnesses say Gabriele’s demeanor varied from tense to jovial.

The hearing lasted for just over two hours before being adjourned until Tuesday, Oct. 2. The trial could be dealt with in as little as four sessions.



Gabriele was charged in May with the “the “aggravated theft” of documents, including private papal correspondence. His arrest followed several months of so-called Vatileaks in which numerous sensitive internal Vatican papers were passed on to the Italian media.

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