A Timeline of the Vatileaks Scandal

Rome Reports
August 5, 2012

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[with video]

August 6, 2012. (Romereports.com) The scandal known as Vatileaks that shook hierarchy of the Catholic Church has been a long story with many details. Here is a look back at how it all started and where the case stands now.

On January 25, the Italian television program known as 'The Untouchables' first revealed the letters written by the Vatican official, Monsignor Carlo Maria Vigano, in which he complained to the Pope that many of the construction and work projects payed for by the Holy See were being charged much more than a normal price. He was right, but his complaints upset many inside the Roman Curia.

In response, the Pope decided to send Vigano to the United States as a nuncio. Afterward, in another letter, he asked the Pope that his new position not be seen as a retaliation, he then named some of those who opposed his management of the Vatican State. Quien?

The next day, on January 26, the Vatican spokesperson, Federico Lombardi, made a statement expressing his “bitterness over the release of classified documents” and left open the possibility of legal action.

Then Twenty-one days later, on February 14 was when Father Lombardi first referred to the scandal as 'Vatileaks'.

The following days were filled with confusion and silence from the Vatican. Then on April 24, Benedict XVI formally created an investigative committee that included Cardinals Herranz, Tomko and De Giorgi. They were put in charge of finding exactly where this leaks came from and who was involved.

On May 19 there was a second round of leaked documents with the release of the book “The secret papers of Benedict XVI”. It was written by the Italian journalist Gialuigi Nuzzi and it reveals around 100 documents that came directly from the pope's desk.

A few days later, the pope himself finally addressed the issue.

Benedict XVI

May 30, 2012

“Some entirely gratuitous rumors have multiplied, amplified by some media, which went well beyond the facts, offering a picture of the Holy See that does not correspond to reality. I would like therefore to reiterate my confidence and my encouragement to my staff and to all those who, day in and day out, faithfully and with a spirit of sacrifice, quietly help me in fulfilling my ministry.”

On May 23, nearly a month after the commission of cardinals was created, the butler of the Pope, Paolo Gabriele, was arrested by the Vatican police. While searching his house, which is located inside the Vatican, police found a cache of confidential documents. Gabriele was then charged with aggravated robbery.

Many observers believe Vatileaks was meant to discredit the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. It was followed by many public calls for his resignation, but then on July 4 the pope wrote a letter expressing his full confidence in Bertone.

Between June 5th and July 21st, the butler was interrogated a total of three times. Gabriele was held in a Vatican jail cell up until July 21 before being released under house arrest.

Three days later, on July 24, Gabriele's lawyers said he had sent a letter to the pope asking forgiveness and saying he had acted alone with no outside pressure.

On July 26th, the commission of cardinals, along with the prosecutor and judge in the case traveled to the pope's vacation home in Castel Gandolfo. There, they met with Benedict to discuss the results of the investigation. They will soon move forward with their decision, and if convicted, Gabriele could face up to six years in an Italian prison.