Cardinal Becciu Withdraws From Papal Conclave Following Conviction

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, once a powerful Vatican official, has formally withdrawn from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, citing loyalty to the late Pope Francis and the good of the Church. Becciu's decision comes amid ongoing controversy following his 2023 conviction by a Vatican court for embezzlement and fraud, making him the first cardinal ever sentenced by the Vatican's criminal court. Despite being under the age limit to vote and initially asserting his right to participate, Becciu reversed course after reportedly being shown or reminded of directives from Pope Francis stripping him of his cardinal rights in 2020 due to financial scandals. The scandals involved dubious Vatican investments, including a failed luxury property deal in London, and questionable payments to associates, further fueling debate over Vatican transparency. Becciu maintains his innocence and is appealing his conviction, but his withdrawal reduces the number of voting-eligible cardinals to 135. His exit marks a rare public reckoning in the Church's typically secretive hierarchy and removes a polarizing figure from the pivotal papal election.