Cardinal Becciu defies Vatican as conclave tensions rise
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, despite being stripped of the rights associated with his rank and sentenced by the Vatican tribunal, remains adamant about participating in the conclave. He argues that the Vatican's list of eligible cardinals "has no legal value." - "It will be my brother cardinals who will decide," he declared.
What you need to know
- Cardinal Angelo Becciu, stripped of his cardinal rights, insists on participating in the conclave.
- The Vatican tribunal sentenced Becciu to five and a half years in prison for embezzlement and abuse of power. He has appealed, maintaining his innocence.
- Becciu claims the Pope was close to making a decision about his status.
On Friday, for the fourth time, cardinals from around the world gathered at the Vatican for a general congregation in Rome. They are preparing for the funeral of Pope Francis and the conclave to elect his successor.
Among those gathered in the new Synod Hall is Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a highly controversial figure within the Vatican. In 2020, Pope Francis stripped him of the rights of a cardinal, while allowing him to keep the title. This decision meant losing the ability to participate in the conclave. Shortly afterward, Becciu became the focal point of the "trial of the century" at the Vatican. At the end of 2023, he was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for embezzlement and abuse of office. Becciu has appealed, claiming innocence.
Excluded cardinal wants to participate in the conclave
The cardinal argues that he should join the conclave because his situation has evolved since 2020. He told "L'Unione Sarda," a leading newspaper on his home island of Sardinia, that the Vatican list of ineligible cardinals "has no legal value" and that there was "no explicit willingness" from the Pope to exclude him. He also noted that he was never asked to formally renounce his privileges.
On Thursday evening, in a Reuters interview, Becciu reiterated these arguments. He said he believes the Pope was nearing a decision to change his status.
He informed a Reuters reporter that he met with the Pope in January, who reportedly said, "I think I have found a solution." However, Becciu admitted he is unsure if the Pope left any written instructions regarding his situation.
"There is no Becciu case"
Becciu again insisted the Vatican list, indicating him as a cardinal without rights to participate in the conclave, "has no legal value." "It will be my brother cardinals who will decide," he declared.
Most cardinals arriving at the Vatican for general congregations refuse to discuss Becciu.
When asked on Friday about the Becciu case, Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco responded sharply: "There is no Becciu case; there are more important matters."
