Pope Leo XIV rules out intervening in the trial of Cardinal Becciu in the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV assured that he will not intervene in the judicial process of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, former substitute for the Vatican Secretariat of State, convicted of embezzlement, aggravated fraud and abuse of power.

In response to a journalist who asked him about the “Becciu trial” on Tuesday afternoon in Castel Gandolfo, the Pontiff said that “the trial must continue” and that “it has no intention of intervening” in the current legal process.

The Pope’s statements occurred approximately one week after the start of the Court of Cardinal Becciu before the Vatican Court of Appeal, on September 22, almost two years after his conviction for the Criminal Court of the State of the city of the Vatican.

In December 2023, after a process of two and a half years, the Italian cardinal and ex -substitute of the Secretary of State was sentenced, along with eight other defendants, for financial crimes.

Becciu, the first cardinal to be tried by the Vatican Court, received a condemnation of five and a half years in prison, a fine of 8,000 euros (about $ 9,400) and the perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

The other defendants were also declared guilty and received various sentences. Five of them – Fafae Mencione, Enrico Crasso, Gianluigi Torzi, Fabrizio Tirabassi and Cecilia Marogna – were also sentenced to different prison sentences.

The ex -substitute of the Secretary of State has repeatedly stated his innocence, ensuring that he acted with the approval or papal authority by investing money or making payments with Vatican funds.

The Vatican suffered a loss of 200 million dollars after a risky real estate operation on Sloane Avenue in London, negotiated by the Secretary of State in 2014 when Becciu was in functions.

The cardinal was also found guilty of transferring at least $ 125,000 (about $ 148,000) without authorization to the foundation of his brother in Sardinia, as well as approveing ​​payments greater than 500,000 euros (about 590,000 dollars) to the geopolitical consultant Marogna, who, instead of allocating the funds to a humanitarian mission to free a religious kidnapped in Mali luxury and trips.

Last October, the Vatican published the reasons for the condemnation of Becciu, noting that it was involved in the illicit use of funds from the Holy See despite not having a personal “profit” and stressing that the process was fair.

Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.