Vatican City (AP)-as the Vatican switches the gears from Pope Francis to the choice of his heir, the status of once a powerful Italian cardinal is a constant question and a source of gossip, as preparation begins for the competition on May 7th.
Cardinal Angelo Beckiu was once an influential Chief of the Vatican, who himself is a leading papal contender. But he fell from Grace in 2020, when Francis forced him to resign as his work as the head of the Vatican office to create Saint and his rights as a cardinal because of the allegations of financial violations.
Beckio denied the misconduct, but was subjected to a trial of the Vatican Criminal Court and convicted on accusations related to finance in December 2023. He appealed the sentence and 5 1/2 years sentence and participated in the meetings before the Conclave, but there is a constant question of whether he can actually vote in the conclusion.
On Monday, the Cardinals entering the discussions before the conclave were flooded with questions from journalists about whether Beckie would be resolved in the Sistine Chapel or not. No decision was made.
Beckie has risen to the fame and power under the conservative Pope Benedict XVI and is very related to the conservative Vatican Old Gard. While he initially became a close advisor to Pope Francis, the subsequent decline of Becchi in the hands of Francis may suggest voting for someone who wants to cancel some of Francis’ reforms.
At 76, Beckiu is below the age limit of 80 and technically meets the voting conditions, but the official Vatican statistics listed it as an “non -elector”. When he was overthrown in 2020, Beckiu told a hasty press conference that he would not vote in any future conclave. But he recently insists that he has the right to vote, and Canon’s attorneys are reviewing the Vatican document regulating a conclave to determine if he is right.
The document, known for its Latin name, Universi Dominici Gregis, sets out the criteria for voters, clarifying that all cardinals under 80 have the right to choose the Pope, except for those who were “canonically removed or who, with the consent of the Roman Pontiff, have gone.” He adds that after Pope has died, “the Cardinals College cannot restore them or rehab them.”
There has never been clarity on what exactly gave up on Bekiu or how: the single -line statement issued by the Vatican press on September 24, 2020, it is said that only that Francis has accepted the resignation of Beci as a prefect of the reasons for the saints, “And his rights are related to the basis.” There is no indication that it is sanctioned canonical.
After forcing Beci’s resignation, Francis visited Beci on the occasion and allowed him to participate in the life of the Vatican. But Francis also changed the Vatican law to allow the criminal tribunal of the city country to pursue him.
The Italian Daily Domani announced last week that during the initial discussions before the conclave Beci were presented with two letters signed by Francis before he died, showing that he should not participate in the conclave. But it was not clear what weight these letters had or whether the Cardinals College could cancel Francis’ wishes.
The question is not insignificant, since the participation of Bechi or its lack can invalidate the election.
Asked again on Monday if Backu will participate in the conclave, Vatican spokesman Mateo Bruni defused. He said the question had been discussed, but that there was no “resolution”.
In the meantime, the questions continue to revolve for the integrity of the process condemned Becciu and eight others. During the proceedings, the court heard that Francis intervened several times on behalf of the prosecutors and that the prosecutor’s main witness against Beckie was trained and manipulated by outsiders.
The complaint is envisaged to begin in September.
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