Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was at the center of the Vatican’s “trial of the century” and convicted of financial crimes, officially announced his withdrawal from the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope for “the good of the church.”
The Italian cardinal’s status and whether he would be in consideration for the concalve was commonly discussed in the days following Pope Francis‘ death. Becciu had previously said he wouldn’t participate in any future conclave following his 2020 downfall, but had recently asserted he had a right to enter the Sistine Chapel with other cardinals on May 7 prior to issuing an official statement through his lawyers on Tuesday (April 29).
“Having at heart the good of the church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, as well as to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, 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,” Becciu said in the statement obtained and shared by the New York Post.
Becciu had previously served as an influential Vatican chief of staff in consideration for becoming the next pontiff before being accused of financial misconduct while leading the Vatican’s saint-making office, with Pope Francis forcing him to resign. Becciu publicly denied any wrongdoing, but was put on trial in the Vatican criminal court and convicted of financial charges in December 2023, appealing the conviction and 5 1/2 year prison sentence before participating in pre-conclave meetings as recently as Monday (April 28).
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