Former Costa Concordia captain
Francesco Schettino could start working at the Vatican if a Rome
court grants him parole at a hearing scheduled on April 8,
well-informed sources said on Tuesday.
Schettino would be working for the centuries-old Vatican
institution tasked with the maintenance and preservation of St.
Peter's Basilica—the Fabbrica di San Pietro.
Schettino would be employed in the digitalization of documents,
the sources said.
The Vatican has adhered to the project promoted by the
association Second Chance enabling detainees who have been
granted parole to work outside prison.
Schettino would work from Monday to Friday if he were granted
the day-release regime he has requested.
The Rome court in charge of examining his request on Tuesday
postponed a hearing to April 8 due to a change of judge.
Other inmates detained at Rome's Rebibbia prison also work at
the Vatican through the organization Second Chance.
Schettino is serving a 16-year sentence at Rebibbia prison for
multiple manslaughter in relation to the 2012 cruise ship
disaster off Tuscany's Giglio island that claimed 32 lives.
Theformer captain caused Italy's worst postwar maritime disaster
by sailing the liner too close to the coast of the island in a
flyby to "salute" people on land.
Schettino was also dubbed captain coward in the media for
abandoning the ship before all his passengers were evacuated.
The disaster occurred after the cruise ship carrying 3,216
passengers and 1,013 crew members hit an underwater rock
formation off the island's east coast just south of its port at
21:45 on the evening of Friday, January 13, 2012, in a strong
impact that opened a hole 70 metres wide on the left side of its
hull.
The ship ran aground north of the island's port at Punta
Gabbianara, which saved it from sinking 100 metres to the sea
floor.
In addition to the 32 people who lost their lives in the
disaster, a diver also died while working on the ship.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
