Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, a very high-ranking Vatican official, has unexpectedly resigned from office on Thursday, the Holy See has confirmed the news. Previously, he worked as the second most senior official in the Secretariat of State of Vatican.
He was involved in a very controversial deal as he allegedly bought a luxury building in London with church funds as an investment, . Since then, the deal has been subject to financial investigation by authorities. However, the cardinal has categorically denied any wrongdoing.
More
- The Vatican identified 15 suspect money laundering cases in 2019
- The Vatican Responds to Allegations of Sexual Assault by Pennsylvania Priests
Meanwhile, the Holy See also issued a statement and said that the Holy Father had accepted Cardinal Becciu’s resignation from the rights connected to the Cardinalate and the office of Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. However, it provided no further details about his resignation.
In the Secretariat of State, he held the duties of Substitute for General Affairs for almost six years, when was the Pope’s most trusted aides and met him daily. During his time in the office, he was linked to London’s property deal and paid for offshore companies and funds.
Last year, following a raid of the officers on the Secretariat of State, five of the staff members were also suspended. The police officers of the Vatican seized computers and important documents.
However, Cardinal Becciu defended the purchase of London’s Sloane Avenue earlier this year. In February, he said that he made investments in a building. Cardinal further added that he thought it was an opportune and good occasion, “which many people envy us for today.”
In 2018, he was made a cardinal and was expected to keep the title even though he has stepped down from the congregation. But Becciu would not be able to vote for the next Pope. Moreover, in 2013, Cardinal Keith O’Brien was the last cardinal to give up his right to vote after his resignation amid a sex scandal.
