Ex-Papal Butler Under House Arrest While Awaiting Decision VATICAN CITY - Paolo Gabriele, the former papal butler suspected of leaking confidential documents, was put under house arrest on Saturday after two months in secure confinement as he continues to await a decision on whether he will be tried on a charge of aggravated theft, a Vatican spokesman said. Mr. Gabriele, who was arrested on May 23, was allowed to return to his home inside Vatican City after a seven-hour interrogation that his lawyers said helped to clarify his position to a Vatican tribunal, which concluded the investigative phase of the case. "We can say that there is no web of intrigue, no plots within or without the Vatican that can be traced back to Paolo," said Carlo Fusco, one of his lawyers, at a joint news conference with the Vatican's spokesman. Mr. Gabriele had carried out "some acts," doing so on his own, Mr. Fusco said. Earlier this year, sensitive Vatican documents began appearing in the Italian news media and in a book. Investigating magistrates at the Vatican as well as a committee of cardinals that reports directly to Pope Benedict XVI initiated separate investigations. The cardinals submitted their report to the pope last week, the Vatican said in a statement released Saturday. The leak of the documents allowed the world a rare glimpse into an ancient, but secretive, institution, laying bare growing turmoil and hints of power plays among vying factions. Some letters alleged mismanagement within Vatican departments. Others made accusations of corruption and cronyism. Vatican gendarmes arrested Mr. Gabriele, who had served as a butler in the papal household since 2006, after confidential documents were found in his apartment, according to news reports. But many Vatican watchers remain doubtful that only the butler could have done it. On Saturday, the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi said the tribunal so far had dealt only with Mr. Gabriele. "If magistrates have other things to tell us, they will," he said. But for now they are proceeding with Paolo. Mr. Fusco said that Mr. Gabriele had "acknowledged some responsibilities," noting that the butler had been motivated by a "desire to help." He acted "in good faith," he said. Mr. Gabriele's other lawyer, Cristiana Arru, said, "Everything he did he did for love of the church and the pope." She added that he had "not received any money or any indirect benefits." The Vatican prosecutor will present his final arguments on the case in a couple of weeks, said Father Lombardi, and a Vatican tribunal will decide whether to proceed against Mr. Gabriele. If the tribunal decides to go to trial, it would begin in the fall, he said. Mr. Gabriele risks a sentence of six years. Father Lombardi said the pope could intervene in the process at any time, including granting a pardon. "The pope can now reflect upon how to proceed," he said. Under house arrest, Mr. Gabriele will be able to communicate with his family, and spiritual and medical advisers, but will not have access to telephones or the Internet. Ms. Arru said her client was "serene." "He is a man of faith, and he has entrusted himself to providence," she said.