Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu Withdraws from Papal Conclave After Financial Crime Conviction

On April 2, 2023, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, once considered one of the most powerful figures within the Vatican, took part in the Palm Sunday procession at St. Peter’s Square. Yet, just a year later, he has become the center of a historic controversy by formally announcing that he will not participate in the secret conclave to elect the next pope—a decision that underscores the Vatican’s ongoing reckoning with financial scandals and the pursuit of accountability at the Church’s highest levels.

From Vatican Power Broker to Scandal

Cardinal Becciu’s career in the Vatican was marked by influence and authority. As the “sostituto” (substitute) in the Secretariat of State, he functioned much like a papal chief of staff, enjoying direct access to the pope and wielding significant power within the central governance of the Catholic Church. Later, he was appointed to oversee the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, responsible for the process of canonization.

However, Becciu’s rise was abruptly halted in September 2020, when Pope Francis ordered him to resign all rights and privileges of a cardinal. This unprecedented move came after Becciu was implicated in a complex financial scandal involving Vatican investments, most notably the controversial purchase of a luxury property in London. The scandal rocked the Vatican, raising questions about transparency and financial management at the heart of the Church.

Conviction and Appeal

In December 2023, Becciu became the first cardinal in history to be convicted by the Vatican’s criminal court. He was found guilty of embezzlement and fraud, receiving a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Despite the conviction, Becciu has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was the victim of a misunderstanding or internal power struggle. He has launched an appeal, which is still under consideration, and is permitted to remain in his Vatican apartment while the legal process unfolds.

The Papal Conclave and Becciu’s Withdrawal

Following the death of Pope Francis last week, preparations began for the conclave—a secretive and sacred gathering of cardinals tasked with electing the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. On Monday, the Vatican announced that the conclave would begin on May 7.

Initially, Becciu asserted his right to participate in the conclave, arguing there had been no explicit directive excluding him or requiring a formal written renunciation. However, on Tuesday, he issued a public statement announcing his withdrawal:

“I have decided to obey, as I have always done, Pope Francis’ will not to enter the Conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence.”

This decision came just a week after he told a Sardinian newspaper that there had been “no explicit will to exclude me from the conclave nor a request for my explicit renunciation in writing.”

The Broader Significance

Becciu’s withdrawal is a remarkable moment in the modern history of the Catholic Church. It highlights Pope Francis’ commitment to financial reform and transparency, as well as the Vatican’s willingness to hold even its most senior officials accountable. The case has sent ripples throughout the Church, with many seeing it as a test of the Vatican’s resolve to confront corruption and restore trust among the faithful.

At the same time, Becciu’s absence from the conclave ensures that the process of electing the new pope will proceed without the shadow of scandal, preserving the integrity of one of the Church’s most sacred traditions.

What Happens Next?

As the cardinals prepare to enter the conclave on May 7, the eyes of the world will be on the Vatican—not only to see who will become the next pope, but also to witness how the Church navigates its ongoing challenges of governance, transparency, and reform.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Becciu’s fate remains uncertain as his appeal is considered. Whether he is ultimately exonerated or his conviction is upheld, his story stands as a powerful reminder of the complex interplay between faith, power, and accountability in the modern Catholic Church.