A convicted Italian cardinal has decided to withdraw from the conclave responsible for choosing the new pope.

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu’s decision to withdraw from the conclave for electing a new pope comes amid his ongoing legal troubles. Although he was previously one of the Vatican’s most influential figures, Becciu was convicted of embezzlement and fraud in 2023. He has maintained his innocence and is appealing the conviction. Despite this, Pope Francis had previously stripped him of the “rights and privileges” of a cardinal due to his involvement in a financial scandal.

Becciu’s initial attempt to participate in the conclave, scheduled to begin on May 7, was made in a bid to challenge his exclusion, but he ultimately decided to respect Pope Francis’ directive not to enter the conclave. The decision to formally pull out follows his earlier claims that there was no explicit request for him to renounce his participation.

His conviction marked a significant moment in Vatican history as he became the first cardinal to be convicted by the Vatican’s criminal court. While the legal process continues, Becciu is permitted to remain in a Vatican apartment during his appeal.