“I obey Francisco”: the Italian cardinal Angelo Becciu will not participate in the conclave

“I obey Francis, I will not enter the conclave for the good of the Church.” Were the words of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who decided to go back before conclave will have As of May 7.

The cardinal, who was convicted of FUND OF FUNDS By a court of first instance of the Vatican, he issued a note in which he wrote: “I am still convinced of my innocence and I will continue to serve (the Church) with fidelity and love, in addition to contributing to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I decided to obey, as I always did, in the will of Poppe Francis not to enter the Concl by the Agreement, whenever I continue to be convincing.

After the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, Cardinal Becciu arrived at the headlines after appearing in the Vatican, demanding his participation in the next conclave, despite his sentence and against the will of the late Pontiff.

Becciu was a advisor close to Pope Francis and, in a time, one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican. He held the position of “sustency” (substitute) in the Secretariat of the State of the Vatican, equivalent to the chief of cabinet, and had privileges of access to the pontiff.

But in 2023, Becciu was considered guilty of fraud and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

Becciu research focused on a disastrous investment in a luxury property in London, which made the Vatican lose tens of millions of euros. At that time, Becciu was the best employee of the Catholic Church in appearing before the Vatican Criminal Court, the Civil Justice System of the city-state.

Becciu always maintained his innocence and presented an appeal against the sentence, a process that is still active. However, he continues to have permission to live in an apartment in the Vatican.

Although Becciu lost his rights and privileges as a cardinal, he was never technically eliminated from the College cardinal.

Cardinals who will participate in the May 7 have not yet commented.