VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday promoted his personal secretary to head of the papal household, giving Monsignor Georg Gaenswein even larger influence in organizing the aging pontiff's schedule and meetings. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A Vatican computer expert who was convicted of aiding and abetting the pope's former butler in the Vatileaks scandal has dropped his appeal. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A Vatican computer expert was found guilty of helping the pope's former butler in leaking confidential papal documents to the press. Claudio Sciarpelletti won't be spending time in jail but he risks losing his Vatican job. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI's former butler started serving his jail sentence in the Vatican after being convicted in the Vatileaks affair. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict's former butler could serve time in a Vatican jail, unless the pope pardons him in the next few days, according to the full text of his conviction sentence in the Vatileaks trial. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A Vatican judge sentenced Pope Benedict's former butler to 18 months in jail for stealing the pontiff's private papers and leaking them to the press. But a Vatican spokesman said that a papal pardon is highly likely. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican police, known as the Gendarmeria, has come into the spotlight in the so-called Vatileaks trial, and not just for the alleged abuse against Pope Benedict's former butler. Founded only in 1971, its role has grown significantly in the Vatican in recent years. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI's former butler said he was held for weeks in a cell where he couldn't "even stretch his arms'' and where his light was kept constantly on. Paolo Gabriele pleaded not guilty to stealing the pope's private papers, but said he had betrayed the pope's trust. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pope's former butler goes to trial on Saturday, an unprecedented test for the legal system of the world's smallest state -- and a chance to restore the Vatican's credibility. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A lawyer for Pope Benedict XVI's former butler announced on Thursday (Aug. 30) that he was resigning over differences in defense strategy with his client. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI's butler will stand trial for stealing the pope's private papers and leaking them to the press. According to an indictment sentence by a Vatican judge, Paolo Gabriele said he acted feeling like an agent of the Holy Spirit. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) As the trial begins for the pope's former butler, the court system of the world's smallest nation comes into the spotlight. And sentences are less harsh than one might expect. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Leaks of confidential Vatican documents continue as self-professed "moles" inside the Vatican vow to continue their action until the pope's two closest aides are sacked. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The butler who is under arrest for stealing Pope Benedict XVI's secret papers was known by everyone as a devout and good man. And as the investigation continues, few believe he may have acted alone. By Alessandro Speciale.