Butler to Pope Arrested

I believe that I heard something about a power struggle in The Vatican. I do not think that his Pope is very popular especially when compared to the last Pope. He looks very burned out and worn down. I have read that he is. The job has taken its toll. Perhaps there are attempts to force him to resign. I also feel sad for him but keep in mind that Jesus was also betrayed. I am certain that The Pope feels how Jesus must have felt.

The Pope in his successions has been betraying Jesus and his people for centuries. He certainly can't have fellow feeling for Jesus

Why is everybody assuming that the butler betrayed the Pope? I can't help suspecting that the butler was trying to serve God, and maybe the Pope, by exposing and thereby reducing corruption in the church. He may even have been working on the Pope's orders?

I don't think that it's really shocking. It would well be shocking if he had a maid with him .. I guess the butler was his assistant or something like that. His right hand for the day to day activities and such (which meant he knew a lot of what the Pope has been doing or talking to). It's not shocking at all because the Catholic Church is huge. We're talking about a world-wide religion which dates far back. They should have good people in there in order to organize things. I am shocked though that someone would betray another person they've been with a long time now. Sad. Indeed. But I guess life's like that. Have a great MyLot experience to everyone!

Perhaps the butler is also a priest ??? I guess not since he is referred to as Mr. ......... . I never considered that but since The Pope is also a head of state as well as the head of the church perhaps he is also allowed some frills. He most obviously lives very well, in grand splendor. He is The Pope which is one of the highest and most powerful positions in the world. I wonder what Jesus would say or do. The Pope lives a lot differently than Jesus or early church members did. The church is a lot different since Jesus established it according to the gospels.

He is not a priest. Mr. Gabriele lives there with his wife and children.

Diana brings up a good point...so much is dependent upon who is feeding us the news. Do any of us really know the real truth? Now you would think that in Italy especially, this would be top news. Also, there is so much corruption that pretty much seems to go hand in hand with power...I think I'm just here for the ride. I don't know who or what to believe any more.

I believe that the problem with anyone being above or below the law is decided by those who make them. Nowadays there are so many in charge and so much corruption that we have no idea and depending upon where we live, we get to hear different things. Here in Italy this is not even the main story today as it has been over-shadowed by the betting scandal among footballers (which even comes before the aftermath of the earthquale and any government news). Just who is pulling the strings and where I fear we will never know

It seems like we just began getting news about his most recent scandal just a few days ago, like over the weekend. First, there was very little but now it is growing. I am taking a wait and see attitude because everything is still wrapped in mystery. I love scandals and mysteries. I think that some powerful people n the church do not like this pope. Would you agree?

Though there should be attempts to be transparent, we all know that transparency should not be the case every time. You wouldn't tell your wife that you think she looks ugly because of her pregnancy right? There are things bound to be kept silent while others kept transparent. Have a great MyLot experience everyone!

I do not understand what it means when the word transparent is used in regards to government or institutions. I am comfortable with some items being kept confidential. I guess others would call that secrets.

I think that it should be transparent as well.

I and many others do not yet understand why Mr. Gabriele leaked documents. I have read that his motives are still not understood. What do you mean corruption in Vatican contracts? What kind of contracts and what kind of corruption? Hasn't there always been some kind of corruption in the Vatican?

You speak of Vatican Contracts. What do you mean when you refer to contracts. Contracts with who? I assume that there has been corruption in the Vatican as well as all other religious institutions. Corruption is an old story. It's been with us a long time.

I believe that there has probably been some kind of corruption in the Vatican. As in other religious institutions. What's your point?

The Catholic Church has not been without sin but either has any other Christian Church. For that matter, either has any other religion or spiritual group. If we look too closely at any religion or spiritual group, we may find out some things that are none too pretty. Ditto governments or political leader and it goes on and on, including rock groups and movie stars. Back to the Spanish Inquisition. The Church was not too nice to Jews either in their attempt to convert them. Even going further back to early Christians. remember what happened to them. They were fed to lions. It is not a pretty world and it never has been.

I agree, he with out sin cast the first stone. It is true that there is no organized religion on earth without blood or blemish on it's hands. Some perhaps more than others. I think a more grievous offense of organized religion is their lack of willingness to share the higher teachings to the masses, save for the elite government officials, grossly materially rich people, and some of the other clubs. It's unlikely that an oak seed planted in a small pot would ever grow to it's full potential, and become a mighty oak. I suppose that's the reason right there. If we all were mighty oaks the church may feel that they would become irrelevant. To some degree maybe they would the case. However it would be nice to have the church give assistance rather than resistance and mystery to it's sheep, I mean people. So long as the masses are kept away from the higher truths of their religion they will continue to live as religious pawns only to strive for some better existence in the here after, neglecting the heaven that can be found on earth. But for their sake, I hope they make it just the same.

I loved The Tudors. Also, The Sopranos. I saw an article on the scandal titled "The Butler Did It". Very creative. There is something going on internally. It is all very interesting. I am fascinated.

There is more information coming out, a little here and there. I still can not quite understand what is going on. Some believe that the butler did not steal the documents but was just delivering them. He was the messenger. Until the whole story comes out, I can not make any decisions one way or the other. I hope that someday, we will get the whole story. I wonder if the mafia is at all involved, one way or the other.

He has been back to the hospital again but because of a blood infection this time. He was in ICU for only a day while they drained fluid off his belly, like 3 liters of it. John said it looked like bug juice, and they confirmed it was part of the infection. He is home now, and seems to be doing better, but they have him on a ton of fluid pills. lol.....he learned quick to take them in the daytime or he would be up all night. I agree many churches own property, but what they do with it has always been the question. That is probably why there is such a big deal of the Catholic properties, it seems to be impressive all over the world and mainly used to make more money. What they do with the money being the big question. All churches seem to in ownership at least they try to be, of the property the very church is on, but the questionable ones are the ones who use their money for individual gain, like a minister lining their pockets. I do know the Catholic church historically has used many dollars to sway political power when it benefits them. I do know of several properties that the Mormons own that are used for housing elders and church members. So many thing they do for the benefit of their members. However, I've not seen any YET that are operated strickly for monetary gain for the church, but then, I don't belong to that faith either. However, I have seen them use money for political sway in the gay movement. When they oppose something on the political agenda, they do it in a big way. But then, they learned it watching churches like the Catholic church, who have done it for centuries. The Mormons are rather new at the financial business in comparison. I remember the Moonies and Jamestown. There are just many groups under the disguise of beneficial works that aren't necessarily telling their membership or the public the truth about what they are, and what they are about. Some are just out and out scams. One of the reasons I have a hard time joining any of them or participating in them. lol...I might not be able to tell you all that I believe, but I can tell you when I disagree with what I see. I still measure things by the actions I see them take, rather than the words they tell me are truth. I doubt any of the churches or spiritual movements want all their financial matters open to the public either. People might question their intentions when it isn't used strictly for the membership or charitable uses. Thanks for asking about my hubby. Only time will tell how he is going to do. I personally form my own ideas of proper spiritual action and try to be consistent in what I do. I try to go through life and hurt as few a people as possible and help as many as I can to live a decent life. I'm not into gossip or rumor and I try hard not to get involved in it, but I'm not always successful. I've always said the basics taught by the Bible are a good way to live whether I believe in a specific religion or not. Basically, the Golden Rule is my guide.

Thank you for trying to clear the situation up for me. However, it is so complicated that i can not follow the story. The Catholic Church is not the only religion that might own a lot of property. So do The Mormons and so do The Scientologists. The Hare Krishnas own or used to own a lot of property, so too the Moonies. Remember them? I think there are a lot of religions and religious groups / spiritual groups that own a lot of property. What does one do about religion or spirituality? I crave it but I am always so disappointed when I get too close. How is your husband by the way?

We will never know everything about everyone or every group but I find it disconcerting that those people and groups who we considered to be far away from such 'intrigues' are possibly those who are responsable for more than we could ever imagine.

He has today been 'pardoned' by the Pope: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20824814

I agree that it will be huge. More is coming. It is very intriguing. I am comfortable with many things being kept confidential. Some might call that secrets. I do not think I need to know everything about everyone or every group.

Today's paper denied involvement of any cardinal. Who believes the press?

I do not believe that the butler wrote anything. He is accused of stealing documents from The Vatican and leaking them to the press. He has said that he fully intends to cooperate with investigators. Now I have read that it is believed that the butler is just a messenger by some. It is believed that a cardinal is behind all the hanky panky.

I have no opinions at this point other than this is one intriguing story with probably more to come. We will have to wait and find out what this is all about unless it is all hushed up and swept under the rug. I hope not.

Hopefully, time will tell. Hopefully, we will learn more and hopefully the truth will come out but I doubt it.

You didn't mean that literally... or did you? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18067356

No I am not Italian by birth. I am English but I am living in Italy since 1975. I am not Catholic either. What is going? That is indeed the one million dollar question as you can see from the links that I have provided. There is more today too. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18240459

mysdianait: I was hoping that someone who lives in Italy might respond to my discussion. Are you Italian? Are you Roman Catholic? What's going on? bird123: I agree that there are skeleton not just in many churches, but all churches, as well as all other religions and spiritual groups. For myself, it is too early to form an opinion. I need to know much, much more.

I would like to know those things too.

Well, let's way and see what comes out of all of this. I just got a yahoo breaking news that the butler plans to fully cooperate with authorities. It is all still so mysterious. First and foremost, why did the butler do it? And what was the butler revealing?