Prelates thank Cardinal Becciu for withdrawing from the conclave

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Vatican City (AP) – Catholic cardinals acknowledged on Wednesday that the final chapter in the Vatican trial involving Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was convicted of financial crimes, is yet to be written. This development comes amid the ongoing drama that has captured attention ahead of the conclave to select the next Pope after Pope Francis.

Becciu, a 76-year-old former influential Italian cardinal, officially opted out of participating in the conclave on Tuesday following a period of uncertainty about his status.

In 2023, the Vatican Criminal Court found Becciu guilty of embezzlement and other financial offenses in the so-called “century trial.” However, the convictions are under appeal, and doubts about the trial’s fairness persist, a point alluded to by the College of Cardinals in a statement issued on Wednesday. Similar to Italy, verdicts in the Vatican Criminal Court are not final until all appeals have been exhausted.

In their statement, the College thanked Becciu for stepping back and for “contributing to the unity and calm of the conclave.” They expressed appreciation for his actions and expressed hope that the relevant judicial bodies would conclusively establish the facts.

In 2020, Pope Francis forced Becciu to resign from his position as head of the Vatican’s canonization office and stripped him of his cardinal rights after allegations of financial impropriety surfaced against him. Becciu denied any wrongdoing but announced at the time that he would not participate in any future conclaves. Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, Becciu initially asserted his right to take part but reversed course on Tuesday upon receiving letters from the late Pontiff instructing him not to participate.

Trial Controversies

During the trial, it was revealed that Pope Francis had secretly issued four decrees to aid prosecutors by allowing them to conduct surveillance and detain suspects without a court order. Becciu’s defense team argued that such intervention by an absolute monarch in a legal system where the Pope wields supreme legislative, executive, and judicial powers violated the defendants’ fundamental rights and denied them a fair trial.

Additionally, it emerged during the trial that the main witness against Becciu had been influenced, threatened, and manipulated by external parties to testify against the cardinal. Despite objections from the defense, the trial proceeded. However, recent revelations have indicated further external manipulation of the witness and potential collusion between prosecutors, Vatican gendarmes, and others to implicate Becciu.

Becciu vehemently denied these allegations, stating that they demonstrate a longstanding plot against him and the injustices he has endured for years.

The appeal process is expected to commence in September.