As the Vatican switches gears from saying goodbye to Pope Francis to electing his successor, the status of a once-powerful Italian cardinal and whether he can vote in the May 7 conclave have been a constant question and source of gossip.
Cardinal Angelo Becciu was once an influential Vatican chief of staff who was a leading papal contender himself. But he fell from grace in 2020 when Francis forced him to resign his job as head of the Vatican’s saint-making office and his rights as a cardinal because of allegations of financial misconduct, AP reports from VATICAN CITY.
Becciu denied wrongdoing but was put on trial in the Vatican criminal court and convicted of finance-related charges in December 2023. He is appealing the conviction and 5 1/2-year prison sentence and has participated in the pre-conclave meetings, but there is a lingering question about whether he can actually vote in the conclave.
On Monday, cardinals entering the pre-conclave discussions were inundated with questions by journalists about whether Becciu would be allowed in the Sistine Chapel or not. No decision was taken, but Italian media reported late Monday that Becciu told his fellow cardinals he would withdraw his participation.