A Cardinal is convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 5½ years in a major Vatican financial trial

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In a major Vatican financial trial, Cardinal Angelo Becciu has been convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison. This landmark verdict marks the first time a cardinal has been prosecuted by the Vatican criminal court. The trial, which spanned 2 ½ years, involved nearly 50 charges against various defendants, resulting in a combination of guilty verdicts and acquittals.

Becciu’s attorney, Fabrizio Viglione, has expressed respect for the sentence but plans to appeal. Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi has stated that the outcome validates the correctness of their case.

The trial’s complexity was acknowledged by Judge Giuseppe Pignatone at the outset, who commended both prosecutors and defense attorneys for their professionalism. It was indeed an unusual trial for the Vatican, characterized by its intricacy.

Cardinal Becciu’s case revolves around embezzlement-related charges related to a London investment deal. If convicted on these charges, he could face up to seven years in prison. Throughout the trial, Becciu attended the majority of the hearings, emphasizing Pope Francis’s desire for him to face court judgment after the Pope’s decision to force his resignation and strip him of his cardinal privileges prior to any formal charges.

This trial has raised concerns about the rule of law in the Vatican and the extent of Pope Francis’s authority as an absolute monarch, with powers in legislation, execution, and judicial matters. The defense has argued that this situation jeopardized the fairness of the trial.

While defense attorneys praised Judge Pignatone’s impartiality and their ability to present their arguments, they expressed concerns about outdated procedural norms in the Vatican that gave prosecutors significant leeway in their investigation.

In addition to Cardinal Becciu, nine others faced various financial crime charges related to a Vatican investment in a luxury London property. Prosecutors sought convictions on nearly 50 charges, including fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, corruption, abuse of office, and extortion. They also sought damages of over 400 million euros to recover the estimated 200 million euros lost by the Holy See in the questionable investments.

Initially viewed as a sign of Pope Francis’s financial reform efforts, the trial had unintended consequences, revealing vendettas, espionage, and even ransom payments to Islamic militants within the Vatican’s operations. It has also had a reputational impact on the Holy See, with various departments seeking damages to repair their image.

The core of the London case revolved around the property’s transfer from one London broker to another. Prosecutors alleged extortion, while the defense considered it a negotiated exit from a binding contract.

Two former managers of the Vatican’s financial watchdog, Rene Bruelhart and Tommaso Di Ruzza, were accused of abuse of office for not blocking the payment to the second broker and not reporting it to prosecutors. They argued that they were following the will of Pope Francis, who wanted to resolve the matter cost-effectively and move forward.

The trial also delved into allegations of embezzlement related to funds sent to a Sardinian charity and payments made to a Sardinian woman, Cecilia Marogna, for intelligence services. Becciu maintained that the money sent to the charity was for a bakery to employ at-risk youths, and he believed the funds for Marogna were intended for negotiating the release of a kidnapped nun.

The Vatican’s willingness to consider ransom payments to militants in this case was a surprising revelation. Marogna, who is also on trial, denied any wrongdoing.

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More about Cardinal Becciu Vatican Trial

• Vatican Tribunal Convicts Cardinal Becciu
• Cardinal Becciu’s Sentencing in Vatican Trial
• Complexities of the Vatican Financial Trial
• Impact on the Vatican’s Reputation
• Ransom Payment Revelation in the Trial