Financial scandals in the Vatican: a cardinal and nine people indicted

Published on : 07/03/2021 – 13:57

A Vatican judge indicted, Saturday, July 3, 10 people including an Italian cardinal in order to shed light on possible financial crimes, including embezzlement, money laundering, fraud, extortion and abuse of power.

Among those charged are Cardinal Angelo Becciu as well as the former head of the Vatican’s financial intelligence unit and two Italian brokers involved in the Vatican’s purchase of a building in a luxury district of London.

Two years of investigation

Cardinal Angelo Becciu was dismissed from his post by Pope Francis last year. Accused of embezzlement and abuse of power, he has always proclaimed his innocence in two years of investigation.

In accordance with Church law, Pope Francis has personally approved the judge’s decision to indict Cardinal Becciu, who becomes the highest Vatican official to be indicted for financial crimes.

The trial will open in the Vatican on July 27.

With Reuters