Once one of Pope Francis’ closest advisors, Cardinal Angelo Becciu resigns in disgrace amid accusations of financial corruption.
The “bomb” in the Vatican explodes at dinner time, with the release of a, to say the least unexpected, Bulletin of the Vatican Press Office, writes the main Italian news agency Ansa.
“Today, Thursday 24 September, the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and from the rights connected to the Cardinalate, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu”, reads the note from the Holy See.
The communication, unusually widespread in the evening, does not report anything else. And according to what Ansa was able to learn , “the Pope’s decision was communicated just shortly before by Bergoglio himself to Becciu in a shock-hearing audience”.
It is the first time since Bergoglio was pontiff that a cardinal of the Curia renounces, in addition to the office in his own Dicastery, the “rights” connected to the cardinalate. Angelo Becciu, created a cardinal by Pope Francis himself, did not have time to return to his apartment tonight as the news of his “resignation” had already been officially published with the bulletin of the press room.
Continue reading at Start Mag
RELATED STORIES
- Vatican Cardinals Linked to Missing Millions and Financial Scandal
- Cardinal Becciu Again Denies Involvement in IDI Hospital Purchase
- London to Malta via Rome: Following the Money in Vatican Financial Scandals
- Charging Shady Italian Moneyman Not the End of Latest Vatican Scandal