Pool reporters will cover 'Vatileaks' trial

September 21, 2012

A pool of 8 reporters will be allowed to cover the “Vatileaks” trial of Paolo Gabriele and Claudio Sciarpelletti, the Vatican has announced.

While selected journalists will be allowed to report on the trial, no recordings will be allowed, the Vatican said. The reporters will hear the testimony of any witnesses that are called, but those witnesses will only by identified by initials—which will be randomly assigned to them, not the witnesses’ actual initials.

The trial opens on September 29. Defense lawyers have been given until September 26 to file new evidence with the Vatican tribunal, and both prosecution and defense will be asked to submit lists of witnesses. The trial will be held before a panel of three Vatican magistrates.

Paolo Gabriele, the Pope’s former valet, is charged with grand theft. Claudio Sciarpelletti, a computer expert in the Vatican Secretariat of State, has been named only as an accomplice, and will be asked why he was in possession of confidential documents.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, warned reporters that it is “highly improbable” the trial will be resolved in a single session. He declined to provide an estimate of the trial’s actual length, saying that it would depend on the actions of the prosecution and defense.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Vatican: Pool of journalists to report on leaks trial (Vatican Radio)
• Vatican spokesman says butler's trial will not be short (AGI)
• Vatileaks trial to open September 29 (CWN, 9/29)