The reasons for the sentence relating to the proceedings for the illicit conduct relating to the so-called “London palace” and for numerous other crimes were filed yesterday at the Vatican City State Court. The Vatican Press Office reports this. This is the first degree sentence against ten defendants including Card. Angelo Becciu, sentenced to 5 years and 6 months. During the trial for the case of the sale of the Sloane Avenue building in London, Cardinal Angelo Becciu acknowledged “that it was he who proposed the Angola Operation to the Office based on his previous knowledge and friendship with the entrepreneur Mosquito “, the operation that started the story. This can be read in the reasons for the sentence which closed the trial against the cardinal and a series of other natural and legal persons. The cardinal himself recognized that “there had never before been the entrustment of such a huge sum to a single person”.
The sentence also notes that “it certainly could not have escaped a person with the experience and abilities recognized by the then Deputy Becciu” who Raffaele Mincione was, one of the main figures in the matter, both from press information and from the information gathered by the Vatican Gendarmerie who had advised against doing business with him. “It also remains inexplicable that none of the public officials involved in this serious affair at least attempted, once the Falcon Oil operation was definitively closed, to end the relationship with Mincione by leaving the GOF Fund.” Again with regards to Becciu, “it is of no importance that he did not intend to act for profit, nor that he did not obtain any advantage”. The regulations in force in fact require a “prudent administration, aimed first and foremost at the conservation of the assets, even when trying to increase them, evaluating the opportunities for profit even if linked to a possible and in any case limited possibility of loss”. “In the light of these parameters”, we read again in the reasons, the investment in the fund managed by Raffaele Mincione “certainly constitutes an ‘illicit use’ of those ecclesiastical public assets which the then Substitute Becciu had available due to his office and of which he knew well the nature and, consequently, the related legal limits of use”.
The sentence issued in December 2023, at the end of 86 hearings, convicted almost all the defendants for some crimes and acquitted them for others: Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu and Raffaele Mincione were found guilty of embezzlement; Enrico Crasso for the crime of self-laundering; Gianluigi Torzi and Nicola Squillace for aggravated fraud and Torzi also for extortion in competition with Fabrizio Tirabassi, Tirabassi himself for self-laundering. Becciu and Cecilia Marogna had been found guilty of aggravated fraud. The reasons also respond to the accusations, made several times during the hearing, according to which the methods of carrying out the trial did not meet fairness criteria. “In the belief that the cross-examination between the parties is the best method to reach the procedural truth and also, as far as possible, to try to get closer to the truth without adjectives, he has always tried, making the most of the spaces left to the interpreter by the regulatory framework in force, to adopt interpretations and operational practices that guarantee the effectiveness of the cross-examination, ensuring the greatest space for the parties, and in particular for the Defense”, it is underlined.
The relations between Cardinal Becciu and Cecilia Marogna “were completely friendly, if not downright familiar, with Marogna even after he learned that she had spent the money of the Secretariat of State for personal and luxury purposes and even after , with the summons for trial (1 July 2021) and the consequent filing of the documents, he had documentary proof of those expenses”. Vatican. What is important here is evidently the fact that they demonstrate that the Cardinal continued to have completely friendly relations. Indeed, the relations continued unchanged even after Marogna, in the television interview with Report, had stated that the Cardinal asked her to make “a dossier on the lives of high prelates”. Faced with an accusation of such gravity, the accused is only concerned with informing Marogna that I am sorry but I am forced to publicly deny you”, we read in the letter. sentence.
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**Interview with Vatican Legal Expert, Professor Maria Rossi**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Professor Rossi. Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent developments in the Vatican City State Court regarding Cardinal Angelo Becciu and the Sloane Avenue building case. What are the key takeaways from the court’s decision?
**Professor Rossi:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The court’s decision is significant as it marks the first-degree verdict against high-ranking Vatican officials, particularly Cardinal Becciu, who was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months. The court emphasized issues of prudent financial management and asset conservation, highlighting the improper handling of ecclesiastical public assets.
**Interviewer:** The sentence notes Cardinal Becciu’s acknowledgment of his role in proposing the Angola Operation. Can you elaborate on the implications of this acknowledgment?
**Professor Rossi:** Yes, Becciu’s admission is quite telling. It indicates not only his involvement but also underscores the lack of due diligence in entrusting such significant amounts of money to a single individual, in this case, Raffaele Mincione. This raises serious questions about oversight mechanisms within the Vatican’s financial operations.
**Interviewer:** The court also mentioned that the officials involved did not heed warnings regarding Mincione. What does this suggest about accountability within the Vatican?
**Professor Rossi:** It suggests a troubling lapse in accountability. The court’s observations imply that experienced officials like Becciu should have been aware of the risks involved, especially when direct warnings were given by the Vatican Gendarmerie. This calls into question whether there is a robust framework for ethical decision-making in Vatican finances.
**Interviewer:** The verdict also included a response to criticisms about the trial’s fairness. What can you tell us about that aspect?
**Professor Rossi:** The court defended its procedures, emphasizing that it aimed to guarantee effective cross-examination and transparency throughout the trial. This is essential in a system where procedural integrity is crucial for both the public’s faith in justice and the rights of the accused.
**Interviewer:** what does this verdict mean for the future of Vatican governance and accountability?
**Professor Rossi:** This case could be a pivotal moment for the Vatican. It signals a stronger stand against corruption, possibly leading to reforms in financial management and greater oversight. The outcome may encourage the Vatican to implement stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Professor Rossi, for your insights on this complex case. It’s certainly a critical moment for the Vatican.
**Professor Rossi:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important discussion for both the Church and the faithful.
