Convicted cardinal seeks participation in pope conclave

A major controversy has erupted within the Vatican as Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, convicted of embezzlement and fraud in 2023 but currently appealing his sentence, insists on his right to participate in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. Despite being listed by the Vatican as a 'non-elector' due to the loss of his cardinal rights following Pope Francis's 2020 decision, Becciu argues that no formal canonical document explicitly bars him from voting. He maintains that his exclusion would violate apostolic tradition and claims there was no explicit written request for him to renounce his voting privilege. Vatican sources and canon law experts emphasize that the will of the reigning pope, if clearly expressed, holds legal force, even in cases without direct precedent. This dispute highlights broader tensions over legal authority, tradition, and the balance of power within the Catholic Church during a period of transition. The situation remains unresolved as the conclave approaches, with about 135 cardinals eligible to vote, but Becciu's participation in question.