Pope’s ex-butler pleads innocent to theft charge

Pope Benedict XVI’s onetime butler declared he was innocent of a charge of aggravated theft of the pope’s private letters, but acknowledged that he photocopied the papers and said he feels guilty that he betrayed the trust of the pontiff he loved like a father.

Paolo Gabriele, 46, took the stand in a Vatican courtroom to defend himself. Prosecutors say Gabriele stole papal correspondence alleging power struggles and corruption inside the Vatican and passed them off to a journalist.

Gabriele faces four years in jail if he is found guilty, although most Vatican watchers expect he will receive a papal pardon if he is convicted.