Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Benedict XVI pardoned Mr Gabriele (above), who served less than three months of an 18-month prison sentence for stealing secret papal memos, before Christmas last year.

According to German media reports Mr Gabriele has now been offered a job at the Vatican’s Bambino Gesu hospital in the Italian capital, though it is not yet clear what his role there would be.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi has neither confirmed nor denied the reports. A Vatican contract would ensure the Pope’s former servant signed a confidentiality agreement.

Mr Gabriele leaked the sensitive memos to the press as part of a campaign against what he called ‘evil and corruption’ in the Vatican.

The 46-year-old had to move out of the Vatican with his wife and children when the Pope’s pardon was granted last month.