Vatican Scandal Probe to Last 2 More Weeks, with Pope’s Butler Staying in Custody for Now

Washington Post
July 12, 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-scandal-probe-to-last-2-more-weeks-with-popes-butler-staying-in-custody-for-now/2012/07/12/gJQA5UoMfW_story.html

The Vatican says its investigators will finish questioning witnesses and the pope’s butler within two weeks in the probe of leaked documents, including from the private papal apartment.

The leaks exposed corruption, infighting and power struggles at the Vatican’s highest levels.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi told reporters Thursday that the butler, Paolo Gabriele, who has been detained since May 23, will be held for “few days” beyond the 50-day period initially envisioned.

Lombardi said that if Gabriele, a layman accused of grand theft, is indicted, a public trial would be held, possibly in September.

Separately, a special panel of cardinals set up by Pope Benedict XVI will brief him next week about its own investigation of Holy See internal affairs.

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