Cardinal Becciu: Vatican official resigns unexpectedly

Excessive rating Vatican official Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu has unexpectedly resigned from workplace, the Holy See has introduced.

He beforehand labored because the second most senior official within the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.

Cardinal Becciu grew to become concerned in a controversial deal to purchase a luxurious London constructing with church funds as an funding. The deal has since been the topic of a monetary investigation.

He denies any wrongdoing.

“The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the workplace of Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and from the rights linked to the Cardinalate, offered by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu,” a press release from the Holy See stated.

It gave no additional particulars.

For six years, Cardinal Becciu had the position of Substitute for Common Affairs within the Secretariat of State, when he met the Pope each day and was considered one of his most trusted aides.

It was throughout his time in that position that he was linked to the property deal. The acquisition of the luxurious constructing in London’s Sloane Avenue was paid for with offshore funds and firms.

5 members of workers have been suspended final 12 months following a raid of the places of work of the Secretariat final 12 months. Vatican cops seized paperwork and computer systems.

Earlier this 12 months, Cardinal Becciu defended the acquisition.

Cardinal Becciu, who was named a cardinal in 2018, will hold the title regardless of his resignation from the congregation. Nevertheless he won’t be able to vote for the subsequent Pope.

The final cardinal to surrender his proper to vote for a brand new Pope was Cardinal Keith O’Brien who resigned in 2013 amid a intercourse scandal.