Catholic cardinals have acknowledged the definitive word is still out about the Vatican trial that convicted Cardinal Angelo Becciu of financial crimes.

An Italian cardinal who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud said on Tuesday he will not take part in the secret conclave to elect the new pope that will be held in the Sistine Chapel next week following the death of Pope Francis.

Once thenumber three of the Holy See, this Sardinian cardinal linked to a major financial scandalfinally renounced attending the conclave. In 2020, he sought €10 million from an Italian newspaper for “loss of opportunity” of one day succeeding Francis.