Summary
In 2021, a criminal trial in the Vatican involving Cardinal Angelo Becciu for alleged irregularities in an overseas real estate operation resulted in a December 2023 conviction. The appeal phase of the case has centered on Pope Francis’s approval of secret decrees that modified procedural norms during the investigation. These decrees were not officially published or communicated to the accused, raising concerns about their impact on Becciu’s defense rights and potential violation of his right to a fair trial. The defense argues these decrees may have been influenced by those in charge of prosecution rather than being signed with full knowledge of their consequences. Pope Francis’s role in this matter is at the heart of the controversy, as the appeal aims to determine whether he knew about the decrees’ impact on an ongoing criminal process and whether his authority was used instrumentally. The Vatican prosecutor’s attempt to increase penalties has been rejected, leaving only possible reductions or annulments in penalties for Becciu. This case highlights procedural issues that have led to suspicions of a weak legal foundation, with multiple incidents affecting the trial’s fairness.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Becciu case, Pope Francis
