The former butler of Pope Benedict XVI has been sentenced to 18 months in jail after being found guilty of stealing confidential documents.
Paolo Gabriele was accused of stealing the sensitive documents and leaking them to an Italian journalist.
The documents were photocopied by Gabriele and sent to Gianluigi Nuzzi, who used them for his bestselling book "His Holiness".
A three-year prison sentence for Gabriele was cut by presiding judge Guiseppe Dalla Torre to 18 months after taking into consideration Gabriele's apology to the Pope and his lack of a criminal record.
During the weeklong trial, Gabriele defended his actions, saying: "The thing I feel most strongly is the conviction of having acted out of visceral love for the Church of Christ and its leader on earth.
"I do not feel I am a thief."
-
Nicaragua bans international visitors from bringing in Bibles
-
Large crowds join Tommy Robinson's Christmas carol service
-
Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message
-
The little-known history of the X in Xmas
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Who was the historical King Herod?
Most Popular
News
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
Today in the UK we celebrate Christmas and the period around it with many familiar traditions and activities. There is an understandable assumption that we have always done things this way. However, celebrating Christmas has a long and complex history and things change over time.
Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country
The cardinal has spoken out against the excesses of the Maduro government.