He was also ordered to pay the costs of the trial at the Vatican City courthouse.
The case is the biggest
to go before the Vatican court in decades. It has been the subject of
intense interest because a book based on the leaked papers revealed
claims of corruption within the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy.
Presiding judge Giuseppe
Dalla Torre said he was reducing the three-year term
requested by the prosecution to 18 months because of mitigating circumstances.
requested by the prosecution to 18 months because of mitigating circumstances.
These included the fact
that Gabriele had no previous criminal record and his acknowledgment of
"having betrayed" the pope's trust, Dalla Torre said, in a reading of
the verdict broadcast on Vatican TV.
Gabriele, who could have faced up to eight years in prison, looked relieved as the 18-month sentence was handed down.
It is not yet clear
whether the former butler will serve the full sentence in an Italian
prison or whether it may be suspended. He could also be pardoned by the
pope, of whom he has asked forgiveness for his actions.
Jesuit Father Federico
Lombardi, head of the Holy See media office, told journalists at a
briefing that Gabriele would remain under house arrest for the time
being.
His lawyer has three
days time to present an appeal Lombardi said. If an appeal is presented
and an appeal trial takes place, Gabriele would remain under house
arrest during this time, he said.
"There is a concrete
possibility that the pope might pardon him (Gabriele), but it is up to
him to decide when and how," Lombardi added.
Edited: LII
No comments:
Post a Comment