As the Vatican prepares a conclave, the status of a once-powerful Italian cardinal looms

The status of an Italian cardinal is being debated as preparations get under way for the May 7 conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. Cardinal Angelo Becciu was once an influential Vatican player and a leading papal contender himself. But he fell from grace in 2020 when Pope Francis forced him to resign his job as head of the Vatican’s saint-making office and his rights as a cardinal because of allegations of financial misconduct. Becciu denied wrongdoing but was put on trial in the Vatican criminal court and convicted of finance-related charges in December, 2023. He is appealing the conviction and has participated in the pre-conclave meetings. But there is a lingering question about whether he can actually vote in the conclave.