October 23, 2012. (Romereports.com) The Vatican is once again speaking out about the prison sentence of the Pope's butler.
 
The Vatican's spokesman Federico Lombardi, reiterated that Paolo Gabriele who is currently under house arrest, must serve his 18 month sentence inside the Vatican and not in an Italian jail cell as was previously speculated.


Gabriele who was convicted of aggravated theft, would serve the time in a jail cell managed by  the Vatican's police force, known as the Gendarmerie. It's here that Paolo was in custody before the trial began. He must also pay 1,000 euros to offset the costs of his trial and the judicial process.

FEDERICO LOMBARDI
Vatican spokesman
“If the incarceration takes place, he will service his sentence in a cell inside the Vatican.”

There is still the possibility that the Pope may grant a Papal pardon, which would automatically cancel the sentence. But before that can happen, the criminal process must come to a close, which has yet to happen, since other possible trials connected to the publication of confidential documents, violation of privacy and State security could arise in the future.

FEDERICO LOMBARDI
Vatican spokesman
“The Pope may grant his pardon. But we cannot predict when or even if that will happen.”

The butler's home is inside Vatican territory, so currently he lives at the Vatican. Until his 18 month sentence becomes effective, the he will continue to receive his salary for 'humanitarian' reasons, to financially support his family.


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