"He is in love with the Church and adores the Pope": The confessor of the Pope's accused valet, Paolo Gabriele, springs to his defense...

Paolo Gabriele, 46

Andrea Tornielli
vatican city

The voice of the elderly priest - who wished to remain anonymous - sounded broken from all the crying, as he spoke to Italian newspaper La Stampa, from his home in the Vatican. During the telephone interview he described what he knew about Benedict XVI?s 46 year old butler, Paolo Gabriele, husband and father of three, who was arrested after he was found in ?illegal possession of confidential documents.? Like many in the Holy See, the monsignor is scared and still in shock after yesterday?s events.

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?I have known Paolo for many years; - he confided ? if the accusations against him prove to be true, there will be no one left to trust any more. I still remember when, some years back, he used to arrive at the Secretariat of State?s offices with his black apron, to clean the floors.?

The prelate recounted how at one time he had been the confessor of this man who eventually left his clearing apron behind, replacing it with an immaculate black suit as he went on to become the papal butler, the lay person closet to the Pope, the man who serves the Pope at his table every day. ?I was his confessor at one time and I can say in all faith that the impression he has always given me is that of a man who is in love with the Church and deeply devoted to the Pope, first to John Paul II and now to Benedict XVI,? he added. The person who helped the young ?Paoletto? to enter to serve in the Vatican is the rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, just a stone throw away from Via della Conciliazione and St. Peter?s Square. The Church is dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mercy of St. Faustina Kowalska and is very dear to the Poles.?

?I find what is going on incomprehensible - the monsignor went on to say ? because Paolo was thought very highly of in the Vatican. I have never heard anyone speak ill of him or spread any rumours about him: and believe me this is rare, because unfortunately ours is a world where nasty things are often said and heard.? The monsignor also shared an important piece of information on the alleged poison pen letter writer who was arrested this morning by the papal Gendarmerie, led by General Domenico Giani. ?Paolo always listened to those who wanted to speak with him; he was always kind and smiley with everyone. He never backed away when someone needed his help, when someone needed his support, and I know this from personal experience.? So many of the Vatican?s lay employees confided in him.

But even thought he monsignor fears that the Pope?s butler will end up being used as a scapegoat, he cannot say that the arrest was made lightly - Fr. Lombardi said - because Paolo Gabriele was found in possession of confidential documents. ?Knowing how simple and na?ve he is, he does not strike me as the kind of person who would be capable of planning such an operation, unless he has a schizophrenic personality. And why would he do such a thing anyway?? A good question indeed and one that is on everyone?s lips in the Holy See. ?We must recall that he is married, has three children and a beautiful family. He came to live in the Vatican about a year ago and spends his free time with his children, helping them with their homework. I cannot imagine what motive he would have to throw all the good things and the life he had built down the drain, betraying the Pope?s trust committing an offense as serious as leaking the documents published in [Italian journalist] Nuzzi?s book. I simply cannot believe it and I hope that he manages to prove his innocence. I remember how devoted he was to the Virgin Mary and how faithful he was to the Eucharist.?

The prelate remained silent for a long while, as if he wanted to chase away a thought that had suddenly entered his mind. ?I remember that after gaining the trust of so many in the Vatican, he ended up coming head to head with someone very powerful here?? Suspicions, resentments and above all, so many unanswered questions.

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