Cardinal Angelo Becciu, aged 76, has officially withdrawn from the papal conclave following a personal request reportedly made by Pope Francis before his death. His exit was confirmed on Tuesday, April 29, marking a significant moment in the lead-up to the election of a new pope.
Becciu, who had previously maintained he had the right to vote despite his legal troubles, stated he chose to respect the Pope’s wishes. “I have decided to obey the will of Pope Francis, as I have always done, and not enter the conclave despite remaining convinced of my innocence,” he said.
In December 2023, a Vatican criminal court sentenced Becciu to five and a half years for embezzlement and fraud. The charges stemmed from a scandal involving secret Vatican operations and real estate deals in London’s Chelsea district. Although found guilty, he denies any wrongdoing and is currently free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at age 88, had dismissed Becciu from his senior Vatican position in 2020. However, he allowed Becciu to retain his title and apartment, which caused uncertainty about his eligibility to vote in the conclave.
The reported letter from Pope Francis requesting Becciu’s exclusion has drawn comparisons to the storyline of the film Conclave, where a hidden papal note influences the selection of the next pope. Some insiders see Becciu’s withdrawal as a potential setback for Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, one of the top contenders for the papacy.
Currently, 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, but the Vatican announced that two have withdrawn for health reasons, bringing the number of expected electors to 133 — the highest in the Church’s history. These cardinals are now gathering in Vatican City to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church. They face a key decision: to continue Pope Francis’ reform-minded and inclusive direction or pivot toward a more conservative approach.
According to Father Donato Ogliari, the Church must not shy away from dialogue. Addressing the cardinals in a sermon, he emphasized the importance of continuing Pope Francis’ efforts to make the Church more open and engaged.
Despite speculation that the conclave might take longer due to unfamiliarity among cardinals, some of whom have never met before and now wear name tags, there are mixed expectations. Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez from El Salvador expressed confidence that the process would be swift, estimating it may conclude within two or three days.
