The Roman Catholic Pope's former butler is to stand trial on allegations he stole documents from the pontiff's private house and leaked them to the press.
Pope Benedict XVI's former employee Paolo Gabriele, 46, was arrested in May and has been charged with aggravated theft.
A magistrate ruled today he would stand trial with a second vatican employee, Claudio Sciarpelletti.
Scandal-engulfed Gabriele has admitted leaking letters to an Italian journalist where the pope discussed corruption among those working in the vatican for the best-selling book 'His Holiness.'
Pope Benedict XVI's butler Paolo Gabriele in the Popemobile during his time as the pontiff's butler
The novel was derided by the Vatican as "criminal."
According to Reuters the father-of-three, who worked for the Pope for nearly six years, leaked documents as he wanted to rid the vatican of "evil and corruption."
"I reached the point of no return. I was sure that a shock, perhaps by using the media, could be a healthy thing to bring the Church back on the right track," he said.
Gabriele's lawyer Carlo Fusco wrote a letter to the Pope in July begging for forgiveness.
"Paolo told me that the letter is his way of admitting his mistakes, the pain he feels and also asking the Pope for forgiveness.
"It is a confidential letter and it has been handed to the Commission of Cardinals set up by Pope Benedict."
The Pope is said to be "shocked and saddened" by the scandal.
Gabriele is currently under house arrest and his trial is not due to start until October. He could receive a sentence of up to six years, according to initial estimates.