In a significant move from the Vatican City, Cardinal Angelo Becciu has officially withdrawn from participating in the conclave responsible for electing a new pope. This decision follows his conviction by the Vatican’s criminal court in 2023 on charges of embezzlement and other financial crimes amid what was known as the “trial of the century.” Despite being eligible to vote in the conclave, Becciu chose to step back on Tuesday after receiving two letters reportedly penned by Pope Francis before his death, advising against his participation.
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, at 76, was once considered a leading candidate for the papacy. His career began as a long-serving Vatican diplomat with postings in Angola, Cuba, and other locations. Becciu rose to prominence as the “substitute” in the Vatican’s secretariat of state, a position of considerable power. In 2018, Pope Francis appointed him as the head of the Vatican’s saint-making office and elevated him to cardinal rank. However, Becciu’s career took a downturn when allegations of financial misconduct ultimately led to his resignation.
In September 2020, Pope Francis compelled Becciu to resign from his position overseeing Vatican sainthood causes and to renounce his rights as a cardinal following accusations that he had directed Vatican funds to his brother in Sardinia. Despite the scandal, Becciu maintained his innocence, describing the situation as “surreal,” and insisted he remained devoted to Pope Francis and the Church. Official Vatican statistics have since indicated that Becciu is no longer eligible to vote in the conclave, despite him being under the age of 80, the usual cut-off for cardinal voters.
On Tuesday, after days of public debate over his role in the upcoming conclave, Becciu issued a statement through his lawyer, Fabio Viglione. He announced his decision to abstain from the conclave, stating, “Having at heart the good of the church… I have decided to obey as I have always done the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence.” The exact content of the letters from Pope Francis remains unclear.
The charges against Becciu stem from a broader Vatican investigation launched in 2021, which resulted in a 487-page indictment. He, along with nine others, faced charges including fraud, embezzlement, extortion, corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office. Central to the proceedings was the Holy See’s investment of 350 million euros in a high-end London property. Prosecutors alleged that brokers and Vatican officials misused tens of millions of euros and later forced the Vatican to pay an additional 15 million euros to regain control of the investment. Becciu’s involvement also included separate accusations related to activities in Sardinia.
Among the charges, Becciu was accused of embezzling funds by transferring 125,000 euros of Vatican money to a Sardinian diocesan charity managed by his brother. He defended the transfer by claiming the funds were intended to support a local bakery employing at-risk youths and insisted the money remained within the diocesan accounts. Becciu was also implicated in payments made to Cecilia Marogna, a Sardinian woman. Approximately 575,000 euros were sent to a Slovenian company under her control, purportedly intended for security consultancy linked to freeing a Colombian nun held hostage by militants in Mali. Becciu, Marogna, and others were convicted on various financial misconduct charges, which they are now appealing.
Doubts have been raised about the fairness of the trial proceedings. Allegations of procedural flaws emerged, with the court revealing that Pope Francis interfered to support the prosecution. Crucially, the prosecution’s main witness against Becciu was reportedly influenced and manipulated by external parties. Defense lawyers found that there were secret papal decrees empowering prosecutors beyond standard legal limits. Despite objections from the defense regarding these practices, the tribunal moved forward. New evidence has reportedly surfaced challenging the credibility of the investigation, yet Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni has refrained from commenting on this aspect, focusing remarks solely on the conclave aspects.
The appeal process for Becciu and others convicted is set to commence in September, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the wider conversation on transparency and justice within the Vatican’s judicial proceedings.