Former Vatican diplomat Carlo Capella, during trial, admits possessing child pornography
The monsignor said in court that his ‘compulsive acts’ were due to a personal crisis resulting from a job transfer
A former Vatican diplomat on trial for possession of a large quantity of child pornography has admitted the charges during the first hearing of an expedited trial inside the Vatican.
Monsignor Carlo Capella acknowledged in court on Friday “compulsive acts of improper internet consultations,” and said they were due to a personal crisis resulting from his transfer to Washington.
Capella was recalled from Washington last year amid investigations into the charges in the United States, Canada and the Vatican.
Police in Windsor, Ontario, said that Capella had uploaded child porn from a social networking site while visiting a place of worship during the 2016 Christmas holiday. Windsor police accused him of accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography.
Capella was born in northern Italy and was ordained a priest in 1993, according to media reports. He joined the Vatican’s diplomatic corps in 2004 and served in India and Hong Kong.
The trial continues on Saturday, when a verdict and sentence are likely.