### Cardinal Becciu Withdraws from Conclave Amid Controversy and Conviction - Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, has formally withdrawn from the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. This decision comes after Becciu faced significant scrutiny due to his conviction for embezzlement and fraud, making him the first cardinal ever to be convicted by a Vatican court. His withdrawal has been framed as an act of obedience to the late Pope Francis's wishes, despite Becciu's insistence on his innocence throughout the legal proceedings [https://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/cardinals-welcome-beccius-withdrawal, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14661181/Convicted-cardinal-bows-conclave-Pope-Francis.html]. ### Structure of the Response 1. **Background on Cardinal Becciu's Conviction** - Becciu was convicted in 2023 for financial crimes related to a London property scandal, leading to a prison sentence of five and a half years [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cardinal-angelo-becciu-vatican-conclave-pope-francis-b2741325.html]. 2. **Details of the Withdrawal** - His formal withdrawal was announced on April 29, 2025, amidst ongoing discussions about his role in the Church and the implications of his conviction for the upcoming papal election [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/29/world/cardinal-angelo-becciu-withdraws-conclave-pope-2]. 3. **Reactions from the College of Cardinals** - The College of Cardinals has expressed support for Becciu's decision, viewing it as a step towards maintaining the integrity of the Church during a sensitive time [https://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/cardinals-welcome-beccius-withdrawal]. 4. **Implications for the Conclave** - Becciu's absence from the conclave, scheduled for May 7, 2025, raises questions about the influence of past scandals on the election of a new pope and the future direction of the Catholic Church [https://www.hindu.com/news/international/disgraced-cardinal-becciu-formally-withdraws-from-participation-in-conclave-to-elect-pope/article69508073.ece]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Key Events Leading to Withdrawal:** - **Conviction Date:** 2023, for embezzlement and fraud [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cardinal-angelo-becciu-vatican-conclave-pope-francis-b2741325.html]. - **Withdrawal Announcement:** April 29, 2025 [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/29/world/cardinal-angelo-becciu-withdraws-conclave-pope-2]. - **Conclave Date:** May 7, 2025 [https://www.hindu.com/news/international/disgraced-cardinal-becciu-formally-withdraws-from-participation-in-conclave-to-elect-pope/article69508073.ece]. ### Conclusion: The Impact of Becciu's Withdrawal - **Major Findings:** 1. **Becciu's conviction has significantly impacted his role within the Church**, leading to his withdrawal from the conclave [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cardinal-angelo-becciu-vatican-conclave-pope-francis-b2741325.html]. 2. **The College of Cardinals supports his decision**, viewing it as beneficial for the Church's reputation [https://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/cardinals-welcome-beccius-withdrawal]. 3. **The upcoming conclave will proceed without Becciu**, potentially influencing the election dynamics and the Church's future direction [https://www.hindu.com/news/international/disgraced-cardinal-becciu-formally-withdraws-from-participation-in-conclave-to-elect-pope/article69508073.ece]. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges the Catholic Church faces in reconciling its leadership with past controversies, particularly as it seeks to move forward in a post-Francis era.