Intrigue behind arrest of Pope’s butler

>>> it's yet another black eye for the vatican , the arrest of pope benedict 's butler, accused of leaking the pontiff's own confidential documents. the pope is said to be pained that one of his closest confidantes is accused of betraying him. nbc's duncan golestani is covering the story from our london newsroom. duncan , good morning.

>> good morning, lester. these leaks started in january, rocking the vatican with allegations of corruption and cover-up. immediately, the hunt started for the source, and finally, last week police say they found hundreds of documents at the home of one of the pope's most trusted aides. it's like something from a hollywood movie .

>> open the doors and tell the world the truth.

>> reporter: a mystery at the vatican complete with the accusation that the butler did it. pope benedict has been searching for whoever betrayed his secrets. all along, it might have been the man closest to him. yesterday, paolo gabriele, the pope's personal butler, was charged. he was always there with the pontiff, up front in the popemobile or by him at dinner. but what was he doing behind his boss's back?

>> everyone who has known this young man, paolo gabriele, paolito, as he's known, including me, is stunned by this. this is a pius, quiet young man who's worked in the holy sea for 50 years.

>> the scandal took a twist last week by the publication in a book. in it, confidential letters and memos to and from pope benedict , as well as allegations of financial corruption at the vatican . many leaks seemed to aim at undermining its secretary of state. cardin the cardinal is number two. some believe it's the power struggle at the center of the church, perhaps wider than just one butler.

>> it's clear that there is not only one man, but a group of monsignors and employees of the vatican who are following a line of underground opposition to the secretary of state cardinal bertone .

>> reporter: as the plot thickens in this real-life catholic conspiracy theory, the church and those who serve it hope this case is quickly and quietly cracked. the investigation is continuing into whether other people were involved. as for paolo gabriele, the butler, depending on the charges and if he's found guilty, he could face up to 30 years in prison. lester?

>> duncan golestani this morning, thank