The Vatican has ordered the trial of five people concerning the “unlawful disclosure of information and confidential documents”, including transcripts recorded secretly of the Pope’s private conversations.
Magistrates notified the accused that the trial will commence on 24 November.
The move is the latest in a leaks scandal which has been percolating for months and revolves around the recent publication of two books which maintain that the Vatican is beset by mismanagement, corruption and uncontrolled spending.
They also claim that Pope Francis’ attempts at reform are being undermined by vested interests in the Holy See.
Previous leaks in 2012 pointed to fierce infighting among the top ranking officials and allegations of serious fraud in the management of the Vatican.
"Merchants in the Temple" by Gianluigi Nuzzi and "Avarice" by Emiliano Fittipaldi were published this month.
Spanish priest Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda and Italian PR officer Francesca Chaouqui were arrested earlier this month on suspicion of stealing and leaking classified papers to the media.
Both were part of a commission Pope Francis created in 2013 to advise him on economic and admin reforms within the Vatican.
Journalists Nuzzi and Fittipaldi were questioned soon after publication of the books.
The fifth person, Nicola Maio, also worked with the now disbanded commission.
Prosecutors said that three Vatican officials formed “an organised criminal association” aiming to divulge sensitive information.
Vallejo Balda, Chaouqui and Maio are accused of stealing the confidential papers, while Nuzzi and Fittipaldi are accused of applying pressure on sources to obtain secret documentation, a statement from the magistrates said.
The Vatican has said the books give a "partial and tendentious" version of events and has condemned the writers for trying to reap financial advantages from receiving stolen documents. Both authors have rejected the accusations, saying they were just doing their jobs.
All the accused are at risk of up to eight years in prison if convicted.
It will be the first time in the history of the Vatican that a journalist is going before the pope's magistrates.
