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📅 Background: Becciu’s Rise and Fall in the Vatican
Cardinal Angelo Becciu was once one of the Vatican’s most powerful officials, serving as the Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State. His career came under fire in 2020, when allegations surfaced over questionable financial dealings involving Church funds.
By 2023, a Vatican tribunal convicted him of embezzlement and abuse of office, making him the highest-ranking Church official in modern history to face criminal charges from the Holy See.
❌ Becciu Withdraws from May 2025 Papal Conclave
On April 30, 2025, Becciu confirmed he will not take part in the papal conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor. Despite being under the canonical voting age of 80, he said his decision was voluntary and motivated by a desire to avoid controversy.
“I step aside for the good of the Church,” Becciu said in a statement released from his residence in Rome.
✉️ Pope Francis's Role in the Decision
Vatican insiders revealed that Becciu had received letters from the late Pope Francis urging him not to attend the conclave. Though initially planning to vote, Becciu ultimately honored the pope’s request out of what he called “loyalty and respect.”
📉 Fallout from Financial Scandal
The cardinal’s legal troubles stemmed from a failed €350 million investment in London real estate and unexplained transfers of Vatican money. The Vatican's financial oversight bodies launched an investigation in 2020, resulting in a high-profile trial that concluded with Becciu’s conviction in 2023.
One of the most controversial elements of the case was his connection to Cecilia Marogna, an alleged intelligence consultant accused of misappropriating Church funds.
🧾 Current Voting Numbers for Conclave
Becciu’s decision reduces the number of eligible voters in the conclave to 135 cardinal-electors. This group will gather in Vatican City on May 7, 2025, to select a new pope following the death of Pope Francis earlier this year.
⚖️ Calls for Reform Continue
Becciu’s case has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in the Church’s financial management. Many Catholics and observers see the Vatican's handling of the trial as a sign of progress in curbing corruption.
