Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who
is appealing a Vatican conviction for embezzlement, on Tuesday
confirmed reports that he will not take part in the conclave to
elect Pope Francis's successor.
In 2023 the former Substitute for General Affairs in the
Secretariat of State was convicted on two counts of embezzlement
and one of aggravated fraud over alleged mismanagement of a
Church property portfolio, including a luxury flat on London's
Sloan Avenue.
In 2020 was resigned from his position from Prefect of the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints and was stripped of his
rights and privileges as a cardinal after the property scandal
exploded.
The 76-year-old Sardinian was reportedly pushing to take part in
the conclave, which starts on May 7, but changed his mind after
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin showed him
two documents signed by Francis saying that he should not.
"Having at heath the good of the Church, which I have served and
will continue to serve with fidelity and love, and to contribute
to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I have decided to
obey Pope Francis, as I have always done, and will not to enter
the Conclave, while remaining convinced of my innocence," Becciu
said Tuesday.
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