After the verdicts in the so-called ‘Vatileaks 2’ trial were announced yesterday afternoon, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, briefed journalists in the Press Office on what ought to be understood about the proceedings.
According to Vatican Radio, the Vatican spokesman stressed that due to a law promulgated in 2013 specifically to prevent the illegal leaking of documents and information, that the trial had to take place.
Since in recent times, in the Vatican the leaking of confidential information to the media has led to «ambiguous and negative contexts,» he noted that these proceedings were needed to «give tangible evidence of the firm decision within the Holy See to put an end to all tensions and controversial discussions surrounding internal Vatican matters that resulted lately from such leaks.
In order to be able to understand and evaluate the diverse aspects of this situation, Fr. Lombardi suggested, the right thing to do «was to courageously tackle the issue and understand what was the effective responsibility of the journalists.»
The trial, the Vatican spokesman affirmed, was conducted by competent Lawyers and Judges within the full respect of Laws and procedures and in full (and public) transparency.
«The verdict,» Fr. Lombardi said, «was formulated by the judges taking part in the formation of the court in full autonomy, with an attitude of justice and clemency.»
