Arrest intensifies the spotlight on Vatican

VATICAN CITY: The Vatican confirmed yesterday that the pope’s butler had been arrested in its leaks scandal, adding a Hollywood twist to a tale of power struggles, intrigue and corruption in the highest levels of Catholic Church governance.

Paolo Gabriele, right, a layman who lives inside Vatican City, was arrested on Wednesday with secret documents in his possession and was being held yesterday.

Gabriele is often seen by the pope’s side in public, riding in the front seat of the pontiff’s open-top car during the pope’s general audiences. Gabriele has two lawyers representing him as the Vatican judicial system takes its investigative course.

The “Vatileaks” scandal has embarrassed the Vatican at a time in which it is trying to show the world financial community that it has shed its reputation as a scandal-plagued tax haven.

Documents leaked to the press have undermined that effort, alleging corruption and bickering over the Holy See’s efforts to cast light on its operations.