Did Cardinal Becciu Cut a Deal? by Phil Lawler

By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, April 30, 2025

Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org.

Last week Cardinal Angelo Becciu—the once-powerful prelate who was convicted last year on criminal charges of embezzlement—insisted that he had the right to vote in the papal election, even though in 2020 he had (on orders from Pope Francis) renounced his privileges as a cardinal. This week, he announced that, for the sake of Church unity, he would not press the issue, and would not join the conclave.

What made him change his mind?

The disciplinary action imposed on Cardinal Becciu in 2020, even before the “trial of the century” began, was unique. He retained the title of cardinal, but not the privileges. It was never clear exactly which privileges he had forfeited. He said that Pope Francis had invited him to join other cardinals at the consistory of last December, and even claimed that the Pope planned eventually to reinstate his full status as a member of the College of Cardinals. …

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