The Vatican criminal court sentenced, Saturday, December 16, in first instance, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, tried with nine other people for fraud, to five and a half years in prison following a trial surrounding financial operations of the Holy Seat.
This former close adviser to Pope Francis, aged 75, is the highest official of the Catholic Church to have appeared before the Vatican criminal court, the civil justice of the City-State.
The cardinal was also fined 8,000 euros. The Vatican prosecutor’s office had requested a prison sentence of seven years and three months against Mgr Becciu as well as a fine of more than 10,000 euros. “We respect the verdict but we will certainly file an appeal”reacted Me Fabio Vignone, Bishop Becciu’s lawyer.
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