Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud in 2023, said on Tuesday he will not take part in the secret conclave to elect the new pope.

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.

A Catholic cardinal convicted of embezzlement and fraud has announced he won't take part in the conclave to choose a successor to the late Pope Francis.