The convicted cardinal Angelo Becciu wants to take part in the conclave

When the whole world looks at the Vatican at a time when the funeral of Pope Francis and the choice of his successor approaches. In this expectation, the figure of Cardinal Angelo Becciu comes to the fore. Although he was deprived of cardinal rights and removed from the group of electors, he announces that he wants to vote in conclave. Cardinals are divided.

The 76-year-old, from Sardinia, once very influential Cardinal Angelo Becciu, was the deputy secretary of the Holy See in 2011-2018 (the third person in the hierarchy Vatican), and then the prefect of the Congregation for Causes.

In September 2020, the sensation and shock were caused by the news that Pope Francis He called him to audience and released him from the prefect of the Congregation and deprived of “rights related to the dignity of the cardinal.” This, in turn, meant – as explained – that the Italian dignitary retained the Cardinal title, but lost all positions in the Roman curia, as well as the right to participate in the conclave.

Luxurious property for the money of the faithful

The Pope reacted to the first reports of the financial scandal in the secretary's office that occurred when Becci was a substitute, i.e. the deputy secretary of state.

The matter of irregularities was described by the Italian weekly “L'Espresso”. Among other things, it was about the investment purchase of luxury real estate in London from the states of the Secretariat of State, coming from, among others, St.topietrz, i.e. donations from the faithful for the needs of papal ministry, as well as to support apostolic and charity activities.

Cardinal Becciu recognized the article as defamation and sued the weekly publisher, demanding EUR 10 million for charity. He argued that the publication led him to deprive him of the right to participate in the conclave and even a chance to choose a pope, which in turn would threaten that the choice could be invalid. The court agreed that this was not defamation, and the dignitary had to pay the costs of the trial.

Later, the matter of financial irregularities in the Secretariat of State and the London transaction went to the Vatican State Tribunal, which in December 2023 sentenced Cardinal Becciu to five and a half years imprisonment for confusing money and abuse of powers. He appealed and claims that he is innocent.

The disgraced cardinal wants to participate in the conclave

However, the cardinal cannot accept the decision to deprive him of the right to participate in the conclave. By virtue of Franciszek's decision from almost five years ago, he was not on the conclave electors list, which will soon take place and firmly contest this decision.

When he was invited to the General Congregations, i.e. meetings of cardinals during the vacancies in the Holy See, he strongly intended to take part in the selection of the Pope – notes the Italian press on Wednesday. Cardinal Becciu argues that by inviting him to the last consistory, the Pope recognized his “cardinal prerogative”.

“A direct will to exclude me from the conclave or a request that I would give up the participation in writing was not expressed,” said Becci in an interview with Unione Sard. In addition, he maintains that the Pope has forgiven him.

The decision regarding his demands to participate in the conclave should be taken during the Congregation for Cardinals. The Vaticanists note that his possible admission to the choice of the pope may prove to be a destabilizing element and causing divisions among electors, because there is no lack of those who oppose his presence.

The largest newspapers inform about the “case”. She is most strongly summarized by “Il Fatto Quotidiano”, which she calls the dignitary “a black sheep conclave”.