VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who lost the rights associated with being a cardinal after Pope Francis asked him to resign in 2020, said he would obey the late pope's wishes and not seek to enter the conclave May 7.
In a written statement released April 29, the cardinal said, "I have decided to obey Pope Francis' will, as I have always done, to not enter the conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence."
Cardinal Becciu, 76, was convicted in late 2023 by a Vatican court on charges of embezzlement related to when he was substitute for the Vatican Secretariat of State. Pope Francis had asked him in 2020 to resign from his Vatican position and to renounce the rights and privileges of being a cardinal, which included entering into a conclave to vote for a pope. The cardinal has been appealing his Vatican court conviction.
The cardinal was attending the pre-conclave meetings, called general congregations, which began April 22 in the Vatican's New Synod Hall. He had told reporters that he never formally, in writing, renounced his right to enter the conclave. But the Italian newspaper Domani reported April 25 that Cardinal Becciu was shown two letters signed by Pope Francis excluding him from the conclave.
Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, had told reporters April 28 that Cardinal Becciu's status, presumably including his desire to enter the conclave, had been under discussion by the College of Cardinals as a whole.
Cardinal Becciu said he made his decision to not take part in the conclave for "the good of the church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, as well as to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave."
The cardinals attending the sixth general congregation April 29 were informed of Cardinal Becciu's statement, Bruni told reporters at a briefing later that day.
There were 183 cardinals in attendance, including 124 cardinal electors, Bruni said. During the session, about 20 cardinals offered reflections on the state of the church, the challenges it faces, problems in society, the responses the church can give, the need for evangelization and the responsibility of the church to promote peace, Bruni said.
Two cardinal electors also formally informed the college that they would not be taking part in the conclave due to health reasons, Bruni said. He did not provide their names to respect their privacy.
That means of the 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope, 133 are expected to come to Rome. If all 133 enter the Sistine Chapel, at least 89 votes, two-thirds of those present, would be needed to elect a pontiff.
Members of the College of Cardinals also expressed their gratitude to all those who attended Pope Francis' funeral April 26, especially those representing other Christian communities and other religions.
The cardinals also recognized the great show of solidarity from world leaders and nations that sent delegations and representatives. "Their presence was especially appreciated as sharing in the grief of the Church and the Holy See over the Pontiff's passing and as a tribute to his unceasing commitment in favor of faith, peace and fraternity among all the people on earth," the college said in a communique April 29.
The cardinals also thanked Vatican and Italian authorities and security, as well as media outlets for preparing for and working the day's events which proceeded smoothly thanks to their "commitment and generosity."
And the cardinals thanked the thousands of teenagers who attended their Jubilee April 27, showing that the church is "alive with the life of her Risen Lord," and it thanked all those coming to Rome for the Holy Year and "walking with hope into the future."
