Convicted cardinal will sit out conclave
Angelo Becciu was removed from office and stripped of his cardinal ‘rights and privileges’ in September 2020
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Angelo Becciu was removed from office and stripped of his cardinal ‘rights and privileges’ in September 2020
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VATICAN CITY, Holy See (AFP) — Angelo Becciu, an Italian cardinal convicted of embezzlement and stripped of his privileges by Pope Francis, confirmed Tuesday he will not take part in the conclave to elect a new Catholic leader.
In a statement from his lawyer, Becciu said he would abide by the late pontiff’s will, ending days of speculation on whether he would join other cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel on 7 May.
“I have decided to obey, as I have always done, the will of Pope Francis not to enter into conclave,” Becciu said, while continuing to protest his innocence.
The 76-year-old said he decided to take a step back “having at heart the good of the Church” and “to contribute to the communion and serenity of the Conclave.”
Becciu, a former adviser to Francis who was once considered a papal contender himself, was removed from office and stripped of his cardinal “rights and privileges” in September 2020.
He subsequently went on trial along with nine others in a case focused on a disastrous investment by the Vatican in a luxury building in London.
In 2023, he was sentenced to five years and six months in jail for financial crimes, although he is appealing the conviction.
Becciu, once one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican, had reportedly been pushing to take part in the conclave, despite not being on the official list of electors.
On Monday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who as secretary of state was Francis’ number two, presented him with two documents signed by the Argentine pontiff which said he could not, according to Italian media.
