VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee
ROME — Vatican officials have arrested an Italian monsignor who was recalled from service at the apostolic nunciature in Washington in August 2017 under suspicion of possessing or distributing child pornography.
In a brief note April 7, the Vatican press office said the city-state’s prosecutor had issued an arrest warrant that morning for Msgr. Carlo Capella, who was subsequently detained by the Vatican Gendarmerie.
The note said Capella is being held under the authority of a set of 2013 Vatican criminal norms that specify that those who possess or distribute child pornography be subject to up to five years imprisonment and 50,000 Euro in fines.
The press office said Capella is being held under an article in the norms that state the penalty for the offense can be increased “if a considerable quantity of pornographic material is involved.”
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