Pope butler under arrest for revelation

Pope Benedict XVI (L) blesses pilgrims from his popemobile with his butler, Paolo Gabriele (bottom R) at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 25, 2012.

 
Vatican has punished and put under house arrest Pope Benedict XVI’s butler rather than admiring him for his fight against corruption inside the Holy city.
The butler, Paolo Gabriele was released from the Vatican cell and placed under house arrest awaiting a court ruling on whether he will stand trial.

He was arrested in May after providing the Italian media with a series of confidential documents of Vatican.

An investigative journalist then published hundreds of the secret documents, which revealed corruption, infighting, and power struggles at the Vatican's highest levels.

Gabriele’s lawyer Carlo Fusco, however, said what Gabriele had done was an “act of love” for the Pope and there was no conspiracy behind it.

"There are no networks or plots inside or out of the Vatican relating to Paolo Gabriele," said Fusco and Cristiana Arru, another lawyer of his.

"He wanted the Church to be more alive. He had an idea to help a situation that he thought he could improve. He acted out of idealism," Fusco said.

According to Italian media, he is accused of “aggravated theft” and, if convicted, he could be sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Gabriele worked in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace, serving at the papal tables, handing rosaries to visiting dignitaries, and riding in the first seat of the popemobile at papal audiences.