Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the former chief of staff to the Pope, has been sentenced to over five years in jail after being found guilty of multiple counts of embezzlement. The verdict was announced by Giuseppe Pignatone, the president of the Vatican court, marking the end of a nearly two-and-a-half-year trial. Becciu’s lawyer has stated that the cardinal intends to appeal the ruling.
Alongside Becciu, five other defendants received jail sentences. Fabrizio Tirabassi, a former Vatican employee, was convicted of extortion and money laundering and received a sentence of seven and a half years. Enrico Crasso, a financial consultant for the Vatican, was found guilty on various charges including embezzlement and received a seven-year sentence. Gianluigi Torzi, an Italian businessman involved in the London property deal at the center of the trial, was sentenced to six years for extortion. Raffaele Mincione, the investment manager who owned the property, received a five-and-a-half-year sentence for embezzlement and money laundering. Cecilia Marogna, who served as Becciu’s security consultant, was sentenced to three years and nine months.
The Vatican trial revolved around the Secretariat of State’s purchase of a London investment property worth 350 million euros between 2014 and 2018. The court ruled that Becciu embezzled funds from this deal and used Vatican money to pay Marogna. He was also found guilty of embezzlement for sending 125,000 euros of Vatican funds to a charity run by his brother in Sardinia.
Monsignor Mauro Carlino, a former official in the Vatican Secretariat of State, was acquitted during the trial. Other defendants were acquitted of charges including fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
The three-judge tribunal ordered the confiscation of over 180 million dollars from the defendants, along with the payment of over 200 million dollars in civil damages to Vatican offices.
It is important to note that this trial is significant as Becciu is the highest-ranking Vatican official to face a trial in the Vatican’s criminal court. The ruling sends a strong message against corruption and financial malfeasance within the Vatican, emphasizing the accountability of even the highest-ranking officials.
The Vatican trial has attracted global attention as the world closely watches its outcome. The verdicts serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to address corruption and financial misconduct within the Vatican. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in religious institutions, as well as the need to uphold ethical and legal standards.
As one of the most powerful institutions in the world, the Vatican bears a significant responsibility to maintain its integrity and regain trust. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly impact the perception of the Catholic Church and its commitment to addressing internal issues.
While the Vatican takes steps towards justice, it is crucial to remember the countless individuals who depend on the Church’s teachings and charitable work. The focus should remain on supporting and uplifting those in need, ensuring that the principles of faith and compassion are upheld.
As the Vatican continues to grapple with the fallout from this trial, it is hoped that it will move forward with renewed determination to combat corruption, prioritizing the well-being of its followers and striving for a more transparent and accountable future.
