Pope invites cardinal on trial to attend Vatican meeting

ROME - Pope Francis has taken another step to rehabilitate Cardinal Angelo Becciu, inviting the once-powerful Vatican bishop to attend an upcoming meeting of cardinals two years later, after Francis accused him of alleged financial irregularities. was forced to resign on the basis of Baqiu, 74, is currently facing trial at the Vatican's criminal tribunal, who is accused of sending 125,000 euros (US$125,000) to the Holy See Fund, a charity run by his brother, among other financial charges. He has denied wrongdoing.

Becciu told supporters in his native Sardinia that Francis had called him on Saturday and invited him to attend the August 29-30 meeting of the cardinals at the Vatican, the first such gathering since 2015. Baciu's attorneys, Fabio Viglione and Maria Concetta Marzo, confirmed the invitation in a statement Monday to the Associated Press; A Vatican spokesperson did not immediately comment.

The invitation is significant because Francis revoked Becciu's rights and privileges as cardinal, and secured his resignation as head of the Vatican's saint-creation office, based on what Francis said in 2020 had embezzled the Holy See Fund. As a result, Becciu has not attended any public debates, audiences or other events at the Vatican and would not be eligible to attend a convention to elect a new pope.

At the time of his expulsion, Becciu was not under criminal investigation, but nonetheless, the Vatican made his downfall public, prompting months-long news reports in the Italian media. Becciu was indicted, along with nine others, nearly a year later on other charges in the Vatican's failed London real estate deal.

During the trial, Becciu told the Vatican Tribunal that as No. 2 in the Secretariat of State, he had the right to donate to the Holy See Fund and that he had sent money to a diocesan charity at the request of the Bishop of Ozieri. Provides work to unemployed Sardinian youth. Becciu said the money was waiting for more money in the diocese's bank account, and was not used by his brother.