Giovanni Angelo Becciu

Giovanni Angelo Becciu, born on June 2, 1948, is a prominent Sardinian Catholic prelate who has held significant positions within the Roman Catholic Church. He was appointed as an archbishop in 2001 and served in various diplomatic roles for the Holy See from 1984 to 2011, including as Apostolic Nuncio to Angola and Cuba. His career reached a pinnacle when he was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018 and subsequently became the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

However, Becciu's tenure was marred by controversy. In 2020, he resigned from his position under duress amid allegations of financial misconduct. His involvement in a corruption scandal led to a trial in 2021, where he faced serious charges including embezzlement, abuse of office, and subornation related to a London real estate investment.

Despite maintaining his innocence and claiming to be a victim of a conspiracy, Becciu was found guilty by a Vatican court on December 16, 2023. He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, along with a permanent disqualification from public office and a fine of eight thousand euros. This trial marked a significant moment in history as it was the first criminal trial of a cardinal in a Vatican court.