Pope Benedict's ex-butler Paolo Gabriele has been found guilty of stealing confidential papers from him and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

The former butler was accused of stealing and copying the Pope's documents and leaking them to an Italian journalist.

He had denied the theft charge but admitted photocopying documents and betraying the Holy Father's trust.

Gabriele's lawyer said her client would serve his sentence under house arrest in his Vatican apartment while awaiting a possible papal pardon.

A Vatican spokesman has said Gabriele is very likely to be pardoned by Pope Benedict though it is not clear when this might happen.

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