Vatican hunts suspected Vatileaks mastermind as butler is charged

The documents show how contracts were awarded to favoured companies and
individuals and also highlight allegations of internal power struggles with
the Vatican’s bank known as the Institute for Religious Works.

One theory is that Mr Gabriele, who has been the Pope’s butler since 2006, has
been made a scapegoat for the real masterminds – senior figures in the
Catholic Church out to undermine Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican
secretary of state.

Another is that the leaking is aimed at the Pope’s private secretary Monsignor
Georg Ganswein, who has angered many of the Vatican old guard by giving
interviews to glossy Italian weekly magazines.

One source said: “Monsignor Georg has brought to public attention a role
that should be very private and that has resulted in many people getting
jealous because they see him as having far too much influence over Pope
Benedict.”

On Saturday Mr Gabriele was charged with aggravated theft and last night he
was still in custody in a Vatican cell.

In an interview with La Repubblica newspaper his wife Manuela Citti said: “This
has been a hard blow for all of us. I can’t speak about the investigation.
All I can say is that I know my husband’s loyalty and his loyalty to his job.”

On Sunday in his Pentecost sermon, the Pope made no direct reference to the
arrest of Mr Gabriele but Vatican commentators pointed to the words he used
as an acknowledgement of the dramatic developments.

“Communication between people is becoming more superficial and difficult.
We see daily events in which it appears men have become more aggressive,
confrontational, they seem to be concerned only with themselves, their own
interests,” he said.

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