'Vatileaks' case: Pope's ex-butler gets 18-month sentence

[NewsCaster]

- / AFP - Getty ImagesPope Benedict's former butler Paolo Gabriele (left)  listens to the verdict during his trial at the Vatican Saturday.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld By Claudio Lavanga, NBC News, and wire reportsVATICAN CITY -- The pope’s former butler was convicted in the "Vatileaks" case Saturday and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Paolo Gabriele was found guilty of stealing thousands of Vatican documents -- including some of Pope Benedict’s private papers and letters alleging corruption within the church -- while working for the pontiff. Some of papers were later leaked to the media.

Defense lawyer Cristiana Arru said after the hearing that she did not plan to appeal the sentence, describing it as "just," Reuters reported.

Gabriele would serve the sentence in an Italian prison as the Vatican does not have one, but Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi suggested the pope would intervene.

NBCNews

[pugo]

Nigeria has a nice prison he can come and serve it there