Embezzlement trial continues at the Vatican

Defendants Giuseppe Profiti (left) and Massimo Spina

Today, at 9:20am at the Vatican City Tribunal, the third audience of the proceedings concerning the penal trial for the embezzlement of funds from the Bambino Gesù Foundation began.

In addition to the judges (Professor Paolo Papanti-Pelletier, President; Venerando Morano, Judge; and Carlo Bonzano, Judge), and the Assistant Prosecutor, Professor Roberto Zannotti (in the absence of Professor Gian Piero Milano), the two accuseds were also present: Giuseppe Profiti, defended by Antonello Blasi; and Massimo Spina, defended by Alfredo Ottaviani.

Testimonies were presented by Marco Bargellini, Paolo Mennini, Paolo Cipriani and Massimo Tulli.  Gianantonio Bandera was absent for health reasons.

Today's hearings ended at 3:30pm and were dedicated entirely to interrogation of the accused Giuseppe Profiti by the President of the Judicial panel, the Assistant Prosecutor and the defence lawyers.

The next session will be held on Thursday, September 21 beginning at 2:15pm local time.