The end of one of the most sensational trials in Vatican history - and the butler did do it.
Vatican court judges on Saturday found Pope Benedicts's former butler, Paolo Gabriele, guilty of stealing sensitive documents and sentenced him to 18 months in prison.
The head of the three-judge panel said Gabriele was being sentenced to three years in prison for abusing his position, but reduced the ruling to 18 months because of his long service and lack of previous convictions.
The butler had earlier told the court he had acted out of deep 'visceral' love for the Roman Catholic Church and the pope.
One of fewer than 10 people who had a key to an elevator leading to the pope's apartments, he admitted to leaking highly sensitive papers, including letters to the pope alleging corruption in the Vatican's business dealings.
Gabriele's lawyer said her client would return to house arrest in the Vatican while they decide whether to file an appeal.
A Vatican spokesman said Pope Benedict would "most likely" pardon his former employee - which would mean he would not have to serve his sentence.
