The Vatican court has handed down a five-and-a-half-year jail sentence to Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a one-time adviser to Pope Francis.
At 75 years old, Cardinal Becciu becomes the highest-ranking Vatican official ever convicted of financial crimes and was once considered a potential papal candidate.
The trial focused on a controversial London property deal that resulted in significant financial losses for the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Becciu vehemently denied charges that included embezzlement and abuse of office, with his defense attorney expressing the cardinal’s innocence and confirming plans to appeal the decision.
The trial involved a total of ten defendants, all facing various charges. Verdicts ranged from convictions on certain counts to acquittals for each individual.
The proceedings, lasting over two and a half years, unveiled internal conflicts and political intrigue within the highest echelons of the Vatican.
Following a deliberation that lasted over five hours, Court President Giuseppe Pignatone announced Cardinal Becciu’s conviction on the charge of embezzlement.
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Among the accused were financiers, lawyers, and former Vatican employees, all facing allegations of crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and abuse of office.
Throughout the trial, the defendants maintained their innocence, setting the stage for a legal saga that brought to light the inner workings of the secretive world of the Holy See.
The focal point of the case was an unexpected location—60 Sloane Avenue in upscale Chelsea, London, a former Harrod’s warehouse situated a thousand kilometers away from the Vatican.
The trial shed light on allegations of financial misconduct at the highest levels of the Vatican, exposing a narrative of intrigue and covert activities that have long characterized the clandestine realm of the Holy See.