London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

Vatican Prosecutor Seeks Seven-Year Sentence for Cardinal Angelo Becciu in London Real Estate Deal Trial

Vatican Prosecutor Seeks Seven-Year Sentence for Cardinal Angelo Becciu in London Real Estate Deal Trial

Former Vatican Power Broker Among 10 Defendants Facing Conviction
In a trial centered around a botched London real estate deal, the prosecutor at the Vatican has requested a seven-year and three-month jail sentence for Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a former Holy See power broker. The trial, which has spanned two years, involves ten defendants, including high-ranking Vatican officials, accused of various crimes related to the contentious property purchase.

Cardinal Becciu, once considered one of the most influential figures in the Vatican, held positions such as deputy secretary of state from 2011 to 2018 and the head of the Vatican department overseeing sainthood candidates until his dismissal in 2020 by Pope Francis. The trial has garnered significant attention, as Becciu is the highest-ranking Vatican official ever to face such legal proceedings.

Lead prosecutor Alessandro Diddi delivered his summing-up, calling for guilty verdicts for all defendants, who have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial. Additionally, Diddi urged the court to confiscate millions of euros worth of assets linked to the case.

At the core of the trial is the complex acquisition of a luxury building in London by the Secretariat of State, a transaction that resulted in an estimated loss of approximately 140 million euros for the Vatican. Among the accused are several Vatican employees and two external brokers who are also facing extortion charges.

While the trial primarily centers on the London property deal, it also sheds light on other allegations, including accusations of nepotism that led to Becciu's dismissal from his senior clerical post in 2020. Becciu vehemently denies these allegations, maintaining his innocence.

Reacting to the prosecution's demands, Becciu released a statement expressing his dismay at being portrayed as a sinister character. He emphasized his lifelong dedication to the Church and vehemently denied any financial misconduct or enrichment of himself or his family.

The court is expected to reach its decision by the end of the year, following a summer break and further hearings involving parties seeking damages, such as the Vatican bank.

In the prosecution's request, Becciu faces individual charges, including embezzlement, abuse of office, and inducing false testimony. Diddi has further called for the confiscation of 14 million euros in assets from Becciu and a lifetime ban from holding office, accompanied by a fine exceeding 10,000 euros.

The brokers implicated in the trial, Raffaele Mincione and Gianluigi Torzi, face sentences of more than 11 years and more than nine years, respectively. Diddi also seeks to confiscate substantial amounts of their assets, amounting to 172 million euros for Mincione and 71 million euros for Torzi.

Additional sentences were requested for other defendants, including nearly four years for Rene Bruelhart, the former Swiss head of the Vatican's Financial Intelligence unit, and more than four years for its former director, Tommaso Di Ruzza. Cecilia Marogna, a self-styled security analyst, faces a sentence of nearly five years for embezzlement charges related to funds intended to secure the release of a kidnapped Columbian nun in Mali by an al-Qaeda-linked group.

Following his firing, Cardinal Becciu was also stripped of certain cardinal rights, including participation in secret conclaves to elect the next pope after Pope Francis's eventual death or resignation. As the trial concludes, the Vatican awaits the court's decision, which will have significant implications for the credibility and integrity of its highest officials.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
×