Disgraced Cardinal Becciu Bows Out of Papal Conclave After Vatican Pressure
VATICAN CITY — In a dramatic retreat, Cardinal Angelo Becciu—the convicted financier at the center of the Vatican’s “trial of the century”—announced Tuesday he would not participate in next month’s conclave to elect a new pope, ending a standoff that had exposed deep fractures in the Holy See’s power structure.
The decision came after two secret letters from the late Pope Francis surfaced, explicitly barring Becciu from the election—a final act of control from beyond the grave.
A Fallen Kingmaker’s Last Stand
Once a papal contender and Vatican chief of staff, Becciu’s downfall began in 2020 when Francis stripped him of his cardinal privileges amid a financial scandal involving embezzlement, fraud, and shady London real estate deals.
Convicted in 2023 and sentenced to 5½ years in prison (currently under appeal).
Insisted until now he had the right to vote in the conclave, despite Vatican records listing him as a “non-elector.”
Forced to relent only after Francis’ posthumous intervention.
His statement Tuesday was laced with defiance: “I obey Pope Francis’ will… while remaining convinced of my innocence.”
The Shadow Trial: Manipulation, Secret Decrees, and a ‘Rigged’ Process
Becciu’s case has long raised alarms about Vatican justice—an opaque system where the pope wields absolute power over courts.
Francis secretly issued four decrees during the investigation, granting prosecutors unchecked surveillance and detention powers.
Key witness coached: Evidence emerged that prosecutors colluded with outsiders to manipulate testimony against Becciu.
Defense lawyers decried the trial as a “kangaroo court,” arguing the pope’s interference violated basic legal rights.
Yet the Vatican tribunal brushed aside objections, convicting Becciu in what critics call a politically motivated purge of Francis’ rivals.
Why the Conclave Drama Matters
Becciu’s attempted return wasn’t just about personal redemption—it was a power play by the conservative old guard to influence the next pope.
A Becciu vote could have bolstered a candidate seeking to roll back Francis’ reforms.
His exclusion ensures a conclave dominated by Francis loyalists—tightening the progressive grip on the church.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed 133 cardinals will now vote, down from 135 due to health-related withdrawals.
The Unanswered Questions
What exactly did Becciu renounce in 2020? The Vatican’s vague statement left room for his defiant return.
Who manipulated the trial? Fresh evidence suggests external forces worked with prosecutors to target Becciu.
Will his appeal succeed? Scheduled for September, but Vatican courts rarely overturn convictions.
A Church Still in Crisis
Becciu’s saga underscores the Vatican’s two enduring plagues:
Financial corruption in its murky bureaucracy.
A justice system that serves the pope, not the law.
As cardinals prepare to elect Francis’ successor, the real question isn’t just who will win—but whether the next pope can clean house.
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Disgraced Cardinal Becciu Bows Out of Papal Conclave After Vatican Pressure