Will the Costa Concordia Sail to the Vatican?
In one of Italy's worst maritime tragedies, the Costa Concordia, under Schettino's command, ran aground near Isola del Giglio between the night of 13 January and the morning of 14 January 2012.
The accident claimed the lives of 32 people, both passengers and crew.
After a lengthy judicial process, Schettino was found responsible for his actions and sentenced to 16 years and one month in prison. He is currently being held in Rome's Rebibbia prison.
The trial found him guilty of navigational errors and failures in crisis management, multiple manslaughter, negligent shipwreck and abandonment of the ship.
Now Schettino's defence lawyer has pointed to the Fabbrica di San Pietro as an opportunity for Schettino to work in semi-liberty, digitising documents from the Vatican archives.
The Holy See has joined the "Second Chance" project, an association chaired by Flavia Filippi, which offers training and work outside prison to prisoners nearing the end of their sentences who have shown good behaviour in prison.
If approved, Schettino could be employed on a regular Monday to Friday basis.
Schettino, who is married with a daughter, is also an Amoris Laetitia Catholic, having had an extramarital affair with a 26-year-old Moldovan dancer who was with him on the bridge when the Costa Concordia sank.
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