First testimony to be heard in Vatican trial for leaked info exposing power struggles

Published December 01, 2015

A Spanish monsignor, a pair of Italian journalists and two others are defending themselves at a Vatican trial for the leak of confidential information detailing alleged greed, wasteful spending and poor management inside the Holy See.

Resuming Monday, the trial is the Vatican's attempt to discourage further leaks exposing power struggles over Pope Francis' efforts to reform finances and bureaucracy at the headquarters of the Roman Catholic church.

Monsignor Lucio Vallejo Baldo, who headed a reforms panel advising the pontiff, is under arrest in Vatican City. He is expected to be the first defendant to testify.

The court has indicated verdicts could come before the Dec. 8 start of the church's Holy Year of Mercy.