Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, convicted of financial crimes by the Vatican's criminal court in 2023, is claiming he has the right to participate in the next conclave to elect the Pope, despite being officially declared a "non-elector", writes A2 CNN.
Becciu, once one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican, was ordered by Pope Francis in 2020 to give up the “rights and privileges” of a cardinal after his involvement in a major financial scandal. He had previously held the position of deputy in the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, a role with high authority and direct access to the Pope.
The investigation against him was related to a failed investment in a London property that cost the Holy See tens of millions of dollars. For these charges, Becciu was sentenced to 5 and a half years in prison, but he has appealed the decision and continues to live in an apartment inside the Vatican.
Although the Vatican press office has listed him as a “non-elector,” Becciu told a Sardinian newspaper that “there has been no clear will to exclude me from the conclave or any request for written resignation.” The final decision on his participation in the conclave is expected to be made by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Becciu, 76, is still within the age limit to vote in the conclave, as only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. Currently, there are 135 cardinals eligible to participate in the election of the next pope. (A2 Televizion)
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