Gabriele Martinelli Enrico Radice
Two Catholic priests have gone on trial in the Vatican, marking the first time the city state has prosecuted a case of alleged sexual abuse.
Gabriele Martinelli, 28, is accused of sexually assaulting an altar boy between 2007 and 2012.
Enrico Radice, 72, is charged with covering up the alleged assault while he was rector of the theological school where it is claimed the abuse happened.
Neither man has submitted a plea or commented on the case.
While scores of priests have faced abuse charges around the world, the Vatican has never held a trial concerning allegations of sexual abuse within its own walls.
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The trial, which began with a short hearing on Wednesday, is symbolic as the Vatican is home to the spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
What are the allegations?
Mr Martinelli is accused of sexually assaulting a boy at the Pius X Seminary in the Vatican, which houses altar boys who serve Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.
He attended the seminary himself and later became a priest, and prosecutors claim Mr Radice did not block his ordination despite knowing about the allegations.
On Wednesday, during an eight minute hearing in a small courtroom, the charges against both men were read aloud.
Mr Martinelli was accused of forcing a boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to undergo “carnal acts” over a period of several years. The abuse is alleged to have started when the child was 13-years-old.
Mr Radice, meanwhile, was accused of covering up the alleged assault and trying to divert official investigations.
Neither man spoke during the hearing and the trial has been adjourned for two weeks.