Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the embattled Italian prelate at the center of the Vatican’s “trial of the century,” has officially withdrawn from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope. The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny over his controversial status following the death of Pope Francis.
In a statement released through his lawyers on Tuesday, Becciu, 76, cited his desire to protect the unity and serenity of the Church as the motivation behind his withdrawal. “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,” the cardinal stated.
The decision ends mounting speculation over whether Becciu would attempt to exercise his right to vote in the conclave, which is scheduled to begin on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel. His initial declaration after his 2020 resignation was that he would not participate in any future conclaves. However, in recent days, Becciu had asserted his legal and canonical right to attend, sparking heated debate within Church circles and among Vatican observers.
Cardinal Becciu was once a powerful figure in the Roman Curia, holding high-ranking positions, including Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State. His downfall came in 2020 when Pope Francis forced his resignation amid allegations of financial misconduct and embezzlement related to a controversial London real estate deal. Becciu was later put on trial along with several others, making it the Vatican’s most high-profile financial case in recent history.
While Becciu maintains his innocence, his presence at the conclave would have risked overshadowing the solemn and secretive process of selecting a new pontiff. His withdrawal is seen by many within the Church as a move that could help restore focus and integrity to the papal election process during a critical moment in Catholic history.
With Becciu’s exit, attention now turns fully to the College of Cardinals, who will gather next month to choose the next leader of the global Catholic Church.
