For the first time, a court has convicted a priest of abusing minors within the confines of the Vatican City State.
The case involves Fr. Gabrielle Martinelli. He has been found guilty on appeal after he was acquitted by the Vatican court in 2021.
The court acquits Gabriele Martinelli of the crimes charged against him in connection with the period after Aug. 9, 2008 due to insufficient evidence.
The priest was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. The abuse took place at the Vatican's minor seminary when Martinelli was under 18 and not yet a priest.
The St. Pius X Pre-Seminary is located inside Vatican City and houses young men between the ages of 12 and 18 who are often altar boys at St. Peter's Basilica.
PA/JRB
TR: KG
