The Pope's valet's prison sentence temporarily replaced by house arrest

The former valet of Pope Benedict XVI, Paolo Gabriele, suspected of publishing secret Vatican documents, has had his prison custody temporarily replaced by house arrest.

As Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi announced, the decision was made by the senior investigator of the papal tribunal, Pier-Antonio Bone, and Gabriele's lawyers should submit the appropriate guarantees to the court.

Also, as reported, the accused's communications will be strictly limited.

Gabriele was arrested on May 23, after an Italian journalist published hundreds of secret documents that point to fraud scandals in the Vatican and an atmosphere of intrigue among rival cardinals, the FP agency reminds.

The lawyers announced that their client did not act motivated by financial gain, while the journalist who started the affair that shook the papal state with a series of texts did not state that Gabriele was his source

Lawyers Karlo Fusko and Kristina Aru announced that their client is actively cooperating with the investigative authorities.

In addition, Gabriele's defenders point out that no conspiracy network "within and outside the papal city-state" involving the former papal valet has been found.

Also, as they said, it was established that Gabriele - who was questioned again today, did not act motivated by getting money.

The journalist did not state that Gabriele was his source.

Panic in European theocracy over publicized intrigues among rival cardinals: A view of the Vatican from Rome

The Vatican spokesman said that the special commission, formed in April this year, announced the first results this week to Pope Benedict XVI, who is on vacation at the Castel Gandolfo residence, Itar-Tas reported.

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