VATICAN CITY — In a landmark verdict, Cardinal Angelo Becciu has been found guilty of embezzlement and has been sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison. The trial, which lasted for 2 ½ years, shed light on Vatican financial practices and put the justice system to the test within the city state. Becciu is the first cardinal to be prosecuted by the Vatican criminal court, and while he was absolved of several charges, he was convicted of embezzlement in relation to the Vatican’s 200 million euro investment into a luxury apartment project in London. The trial also featured nine co-defendants who received a mix of guilty verdicts and acquittals.
Becciu’s attorney, Fabio Viglione, has stated that he will appeal the sentence, while prosecutor Alessandro Diddi expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The focus of the trial was the Vatican secretariat of state’s investment in the London property, with prosecutors alleging that Vatican officials and brokers took advantage of the Holy See, resulting in the loss of millions of euros. The Vatican was also alleged to have been extorted for 15 million euros to relinquish control of the property.
The trial raised questions about the rule of law within the Vatican and the extent of Pope Francis’ power as the absolute monarch. Defense attorneys praised Judge Giuseppe Pignatone’s fairness and expressed gratitude for being able to present their arguments. However, they also criticized the Vatican’s outdated procedural norms, which gave prosecutors significant leeway in withholding evidence and pursuing their investigation without significant impediment.
While the prosecutors sought prison terms ranging from three to 13 years and damages exceeding 400 million euros, the tribunal acquitted several defendants of major charges such as fraud, corruption, and money-laundering. The tribunal did order the confiscation of 166 million euros from the defendants and the payment of 200 million euros in civil damages to Vatican offices. One of Becciu’s former secretaries, Monsignor Mauro Carlino, was acquitted entirely.
The Vatican’s aim in initiating the trial was to highlight financial reforms and demonstrate a commitment to combatting financial misconduct. However, the trial had unintended consequences for the Holy See, with revelations of vendettas, espionage, and ransom payments to Islamic militants. Key figures in the trial included Raffaele Mincione and Gianluigi Torzi, two brokers involved in the London property deal. Torzi was convicted of several charges, including extortion, and sentenced to six years in prison, while Mincione was convicted of embezzlement.
The fate of the convicted individuals regarding serving their sentences remains uncertain. The Vatican has its own jail, but the whereabouts of Torzi are unknown, and it is unclear whether other countries would extradite the defendants if the convictions are upheld on appeal. The former heads of the Vatican financial intelligence agency, Tommaso di Ruzza and Rene Bruelhart, were convicted of failing to report a suspicious transaction but were absolved of abuse of office. They argued that they couldn’t inform Vatican prosecutors due to a separate investigation they had initiated into Torzi.
Overall, the trial has brought to light significant issues within the Vatican’s financial system, compelling the institution to evaluate and address its shortcomings. The conviction of a cardinal, the severity of the sentences, and the ongoing legal challenges all underscore the magnitude of the case and its implications for the Vatican’s future financial practices.
