Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a central figure in what has been dubbed the Vatican’s “trial of the century,” announced on Tuesday that he will not participate in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, citing his commitment to the good of the Church.
The announcement comes amid intense speculation following Pope Francis’ death, as Becciu’s eligibility and intentions regarding the conclave had drawn widespread attention. Although the 76-year-old cardinal had previously declared in 2020 that he would abstain from any future conclave following his dismissal by Pope Francis, he had recently insisted he retained the right to vote, given he is still under the age of 80.
However, in a statement released through his lawyers, Becciu said:
“Having at heart the good of the Church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, and wishing to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I have decided to obey—as I have always done—the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave, while remaining convinced of my innocence.”
Becciu was once a powerful figure in the Vatican, considered a potential papal candidate himself. He rose under Pope Benedict XVI and was a trusted aide to Francis before being forced to resign in 2020 amid allegations of financial misconduct. Though he denied wrongdoing, Becciu was convicted in December 2023 on finance-related charges and sentenced to five and a half years in prison. He is currently appealing the verdict.
Despite participating in pre-conclave meetings as recently as Monday, Becciu has now stepped aside following reports that he was presented with two letters from Pope Francis—written before his death—explicitly asking him not to take part in the conclave. His reference to “the will of Pope Francis” suggests these letters played a decisive role in his decision.
While Vatican law allows all cardinals under 80 to vote in a conclave unless they have been canonically deposed or have renounced their cardinalate with papal consent, Becciu’s exact status has long remained ambiguous. The Vatican’s 2020 announcement only stated that Francis had accepted his resignation as head of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, along with his “rights connected to the cardinalate”—leaving legal experts uncertain whether he was fully stripped of voting rights.
Although Pope Francis continued to engage with Becciu after his resignation, he also amended Vatican law to enable the city-state’s criminal court to prosecute cardinals—ultimately leading to Becciu’s trial. The proceedings themselves were contentious, with allegations that Francis directly supported prosecutors and that the main witness against Becciu had been coached by outsiders.
As Becciu formally steps back, the Church prepares to enter a significant transitional moment with his controversial legacy casting a shadow over the conclave.
