Convicted Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu Withdraws from Papal Conclave Following Vatican Financial Scandal

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu takes part in the procession of the Palm Sunday mass on April 2, 2023 at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, the first cardinal to be convicted by the Vatican’s criminal court, has formally announced that he will not participate in the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope, despite previously appealing to exercise that right. Becciu, once a prominent figure within the Catholic Church hierarchy, made the announcement just days after reiterating his belief that there had been no explicit request barring him from the sacred gathering.

Becciu, a former “sostituto” in the Secretariat of State — effectively the papal chief of staff — held one of the most influential roles in Vatican governance, with direct access to the pope and oversight of major church affairs. He was later reassigned to lead the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. However, in 2020, Pope Francis ordered him to resign the rights and privileges of a cardinal after he became entangled in a wide-reaching financial scandal involving embezzlement and real estate deals.

In December 2023, Becciu was convicted of embezzlement and fraud and sentenced to five and a half years in prison, although he remains free pending appeal. His appeal is currently ongoing, and he is permitted to reside in a Vatican apartment during the process. Despite his legal troubles, Becciu had initially fought to be included in the conclave, arguing that there was no formal exclusion from participating in the selection of the next pontiff.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Becciu confirmed his withdrawal, stating, “I have decided to obey, as I have always done, Pope Francis’ will not to enter the Conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence.” The announcement came after the Vatican confirmed that the secret conclave to elect the next pope will begin on May 7, following the death of Pope Francis last week.

Becciu’s absence from the conclave marks a significant moment in modern Vatican history, as he is the first cardinal to be excluded from a papal election due to criminal conviction. The decision underscores Pope Francis' reform-driven stance on accountability and financial transparency within the Catholic Church.