Cardinal Becciu Withdraws from Papal Conclave after Conviction

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, recently convicted of financial crimes in the Vatican's highly publicized 'trial of the century,' has announced he will not participate in the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor, citing his desire to serve the good of the Church and to respect Pope Francis’ explicit wishes. Despite initially asserting his right to vote as he is under the age of 80, Becciu stated through his lawyer that he will obey the late pope’s request, conveyed in documents signed by Francis, not to enter the conclave. Becciu, formerly a powerful Vatican chief of staff and adviser to both Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, was stripped of his rights as a cardinal after allegations of financial misconduct, culminating in a conviction and a 5.5-year prison sentence, which he is appealing. His presence and status had sparked controversy and concern among Vatican observers, especially given his association with the conservative old guard and the ongoing debate about the integrity of the papal election process. The Vatican’s regulations specify that cardinals under 80 are eligible to vote unless canonically deposed, but Becciu’s case exposed ambiguities in Church law regarding cardinals stripped of their rights but not their titles. The cardinals set to participate in the conclave have yet to comment on Becciu’s withdrawal.