Background on Angelo Becciu and His Relevance
Angelo Becciu, a 76-year-old Italian cardinal, was once one of the most influential figures in the Vatican, serving as an advisor to Pope Francis and even being considered for papal candidacy. However, a murky real estate deal in London led to his downfall and subsequent conviction for financial crimes.
At the time of his misconduct, Becciu held the position of Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. In 2020, Pope Francis forced his resignation and stripped him of all privileges. Three years later, Becciu was sentenced to more than five years in prison for financial offenses.
Becciu’s Attempt to Participate in the Conclave
Despite being excluded from the official list of electors, Becciu insisted on participating in the conclave that began on May 7th. He sought admission, believing he was still eligible.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as Secretary of State under Pope Francis for years and is considered a leading papal contender by many, intervened to prevent Becciu’s participation.
- Documents Presented by Parolin: Two letters from Pope Francis, one dated 2023 and the other from the previous month, were presented to the cardinals gathered to establish the groundwork for the conclave.
- Becciu’s Position: Becciu served as Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2018, working directly under Parolin for five years.
Context of Pope Francis’s Financial Reforms
Becciu’s fall from grace occurred amidst a series of reforms initiated by Pope Francis, aiming to clean up the notoriously opaque finances of the Vatican.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Angelo Becciu? Angelo Becciu is a 76-year-old Italian cardinal who was once a powerful figure in the Vatican, serving as an advisor to Pope Francis. He was convicted for financial crimes related to a real estate deal in London.
- What led to Becciu’s downfall? Becciu’s conviction stemmed from a controversial real estate transaction in London, which ultimately resulted in his loss of Vatican privileges and a prison sentence for financial offenses.
- Why did Becciu attempt to participate in the conclave? Despite being excluded from the official list of electors, Becciu insisted on attending the conclave, believing he was still eligible to participate in selecting the new pope.
- What role did Cardinal Pietro Parolin play? Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the long-time Secretary of State under Pope Francis, presented two letters from the pope to prevent Becciu’s participation in the conclave.
- What are Pope Francis’s financial reforms? Pope Francis has been implementing a series of reforms to address the notoriously opaque finances within the Vatican, aiming for greater transparency and accountability.
