The Vatican State Criminal Court announced the verdict on Saturday followingnoon. Becciu is the first cardinal in church history to be convicted of a crime by the Vatican judiciary. An appeal is possible once morest the verdict.
In addition to Becciu, other defendants were sentenced to prison terms and fines, and some defendants were acquitted. Among those convicted is a friend of the cardinal, to whom, according to the indictment, Becciu gave several hundred thousand euros from Vatican coffers. Several financial advisors who were involved in the Vatican’s loss-making investments were also convicted. The verdicts end a criminal trial that lasted two and a half years.
Image: (APA/AFP/VATICAN MEDIA/HANDOUT)
Becciu and his defense lawyers deny the allegations. The prosecution had made prejudgmental arguments and presented no real evidence, they reiterated on Tuesday. The process showed that the cardinal never took any action that had not been prepared for him by his office. He has also been exposed to media aggression over the past two years.
The Sardinian had already lost his essential rights as a cardinal in 2020, even if he can continue to wear the title. In addition, Pope Francis removed him from his post as prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Some people grumbled that the decision amounted to a prejudgment.
