Last year, Pope Francis accepted Becciu’s resignation after the cardinal was linked to a controversial property deal in London. In 2014, the Vatican State Secretariat invested in the former Harrods department store in the expensive Chelsea area, where luxury apartments will be built. The Vatican eventually lost 150 million pounds (176 million euros) in investment.
Francis has sacked five Vatican employees over the London deal. An investigation was conducted to determine whether bureaucrats were being deceived or if they were taking advantage of it themselves. This research has led to the current process.
Becciu’s attorney expects “many evidence and witnesses to prove his innocence with respect to any allegation”. Other suspects at trial include financial brokers, Vatican officials and a lawyer.
Francis made the arrangement of the money of the Catholic Church a pillar of his papacy. “I think this process represents a turning point that may lead to more credibility of the Holy See in the economic field,” said Father Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, Vatican Economy Minister. “The fact that this process is taking place means that some internal controls are working: the allegations came from the Vatican.”
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