Another Vatican trial is coming to an end – a trial involving the choir of the Sistine Chapel, the oldest in the world. Its former director, Massimo Palombella, has been found guilty of abuse of office, but acquitted of embezzlement. In a few months, more details and reasons will be revealed as to why the court found him guilty.
Together with two other officials, this priest was accused of organizing concerts around the world for his own benefit, and funds from the concerts were deposited in an Italian bank. However, the Court has not found evidence that he personally appropriated this money.
In addition, the sentence, handed down in the first instance, states that he will be sentenced to 3 years and 2 months in prison, a fine of €9,000, and he will not be able to hold public office.
This criminal process was opened in 2023, although the Pope had already authorized an investigation into the events in 2018, the same year in which he dismissed Palombella as director of the Sistine Chapel Choir, a position he held for nine years.
Since 2021, Palombella has been the director of the musical chapel of the Duomo in Milan. The organization supports him currently and still highlights his musical and educational commitment. In fact, the organization declares that they will wait for more details to emerge before making a decision about his future.
This is the last legal sentence signed by Giuseppe Pignatone, whose resignation was accepted by the Pope due to age. He is 75 years old. He will cease to be a magistrate of the Vatican Tribunal on December 31.
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TR: GS
